"In the category of most critical victory in the Western Conference postseason race, the award goes to the Blackhawks.

The defending Stanley Cup champions continued their surge Sunday night with their fourth consecutive win as they defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shootout at the United Center.

Jonathan Toews scored the winner in the shootout and had two goals in regulation to lift the Hawks to a big victory over a team ahead of them in the West. Despite twice blowing two-goal leads, the Hawks earned two points while the Coyotes picked up one.

The Hawks have points in eight of their last nine games, and with 72 sit in ninth place in the West. Phoenix is fourth with 76 points.

"We're not really worrying about a run or streak right now," Toews said. "We're feeling that night in and night out we can play some good hockey. Even though we might have some lapses or weaker periods here and there we can still give ourselves a chance to come out with two points at the end of it all."

Marian Hossa added a goal and Patrick Kane had two assists for the Hawks, who let a 2-0 first-period lead and 3-1 advantage in the second slip away. Keith Yandle had a goal and an assist and Adrian Aucoin and Martin Hanzal also scored for Phoenix.

In the shootout, Toews led off and beat goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov for the only score, and Corey Crawford stopped all three Coyotes attempts."