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The Chicago Blackhawks tied an NHL record Tuesday night with their 4-3 shootout victory over the Vancouver Canucks. They have started the NHL's 48-game shortened season by earning at least one point in the first 16 games raising their impressive record to 13-0-3 on the season. The only other team to accomplish this feat was the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks (12-0-4), who eventually went on to win the Stanley Cup.

''It's a remarkable start,'' said Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. ''We're very happy and pleased. Guys should be proud of the achievement and where they're at, especially in a 48-game season. It's put us in a real good spot.''

The is certainly the best start in the storied Blackhawks history and they have a chance to make NHL history when the San Jose Sharks visit Chicago on Friday evening. However, the Blackhawks may have to do it without the services of their star forward Marian Hossa, who had to be helped off the ice after scoring a pair of goals in the game. Hossa took a forearm to the head from Canucks forward Jannik Hansen in the third on what was deemed a cheap shot after the game.

''We will know more tomorrow,'' Quenneville said. ''It was a major concern, so hopefully he is OK. I think everybody saw it. Everybody can have their own opinion, so we'll let the people who do that stuff do their job.''

Chicago won in the shootout to earn its third straight victory and continue to be the league's best team to start the season. The Canucks put up their best effort behind a terrific night from goalie Cory Schneider, but were just another victim in the hot start of the Blackhawks.

"It's great to start, but that's all it is, a start," said goaltender Ray Emery, who made 29 stops on the night in a superb performance. ''You want to see it at the end of the year, that's when it counts.''

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