from Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times,

Pittsburgh saved a once-middling season by winning eight straight to put itself solidly in the playoff field and is threatening to win the division. The Hawks strive for a much more dramatic comeback.

“It’s one of the reasons we’re trying to play here, to get ourselves into a playoff position,” Patrick Kane said. “We know we need to go on a couple runs.”

Kane doesn’t care if mentioning the playoffs elicits snorts and scoffs as the Hawks sit one step out of the basement. They aspire to make something significant of this year and they aren’t whispering or talking in generalities. They’re targeting the postseason.

It’s a perspective shift from the glorious run in which they eyed the trophy at the start of every training camp.

After getting swept out in the first round in 2016, missing the playoffs by a lot last year and opening this season 9-18-5, this version of the Hawks is young, scrappy and just beginning to find its way.

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