Sam Gagner, for one, had a firsthand look at the precision with which the Chicago Blackhawks dismantled the Calgary Flames.

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am Gagner #89 of the Edmonton Oilers jumps over the boards to join the play during a game against the Montreal Canadiens on October 10, 2009 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers beat the Canadiens 3-2.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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He saw the Blackhawks put seven goals past the typically stingy Miikka Kiprusoff and he watched Chicago goaltender Cristobal Huet turn away all but one of the 28 shots he faced. And, of course, he's seen it all happen before.

The Blackhawks clobbered the Edmonton Oilers 9-2 at Rexall Place last season and have already racked up one win in this season's series last month in Chicago. Yet Gagner insists that the boys from the Windy City have not won the mental game.

"They put on a great show. They're probably flying high after their win (Thursday) night. They'll have a lot of confidence," Gagner said after Friday's practice session. "We have to know how good they are, we have to show them respect, but we still have to play our game. We have to have the confidence in here that we can play with anybody.

"We know they're a great team and we know our track record against them, but if we respect them too much, we're not going to play the way we can.

"If we get off to a good start, hopefully it will go our way."

The Blackhawks are 4-0-1 against the Oilers, a run that dates back to the start of the 2008-09 season, and they extended their win streak to five games with their 7-1 victory in the Saddledome.

"It's one of those games you have to get ready for or else you'll get embarrassed," said captain Ethan Moreau. "This is one of those games where you really have to focus at the task at hand . . . we've seen what can happen if you don't."

Up front, the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are one problem. On the back end, there's a raft of blue-liners who can defend their zone and join the rush. Chicago is allowing just 2.25 goals a game, which is bettered only by the New Jersey Devils (2.10 in 20 games).

"We've had problems in the past with teams that activate their defence. We can get confused in our zone, but we have been working real hard, so hopefully it will help us against Chicago," said defenceman Ladislav Smid. "They're probably one of the most talented teams. They can (roll out) four lines, and their top three are really dangerous. Their fourth gives them a lot of energy and their defencemen are probably one of the best (corps) in the NHL."

The Blackhawks peppered Nikolai Khabibulin with 38 shots in last month's game. He was good enough to keep the score respectable. The Hawks finished with a 4-3 win.

"We've seen how they can play," said Oilers head coach Pat Quinn. "We know we can't play the same way we did (in Chicago). We have to be on top of our game to play with them."