SET THE STAGE: 2013 Conference Quarterfinals, Game 1

It didn't take long for the Blackhawks - and the rest of the NHL - to realize something special was happening on the West Side in 2013.

After a work stoppage delayed the start of the season until mid-January, the Blackhawks began the 48-game schedule by reeling off wins in their first six games, out-scoring opponents 22-13 in the process.

"We knew there was something special from the beginning of the short season so we wanted to ride that winning wave," winger Marian Hossa said.

2013 REWIND

**MORE**: 2013 Rewind Schedule and Info

**FEATURE**: Bickell Sparks Momentum with OT Winner

**GALLERY**: Conf. Quarterfinals, Gm. 1

**WATCH**: One-on-One with Bickell

Through the first 10 games, the Blackhawks were 8-0-2 and by the time they reached the halfway point of the regular season, they were riding a franchise-record 11-game winning streak and had extended their NHL record for longest streak to start a season without a loss in regulation to 24.

"Probably 12 games or so in we were on a long winning streak … and we were like, 'Wow, this is really good because (coach Joel Quenneville) is not mixing the lines up, we're winning and we're scoring," winger Bryan Bickell said. "We were finding ways to win and then you kind of realize, 'well, this is 48 games, this can be really good' and then we carried it on for 24."

Following their 21-0-3 record to start the season, the Blackhawks finished 36-7-5 and captured the Presidents' Trophy as the team with the most points in the league.

Then it was on to the postseason, which included series wins over the Wild, Red Wings, Kings and Bruins as the Blackhawks captured their second Stanley Cup in four seasons.

Over the next 16 days, relive the race to the 2013 Stanley Cup as Blackhawks.com and NBC Sports Chicago will combine forces to chronicle each of the 16 postseason victories.

"You can look back at the Cup teams of 2010, '13 and '15, and 2013 is right up there with 2010," Bickell said. "Those two were probably the most dominant teams that we've had. The chemistry we had throughout the team (in 2013) was outstanding. We had two great goalies (and) great 'D.'

"It was a magical team."