Sutter Nudging Larmer

TAMPA, Fla. Coach Darryl Sutter liked what he saw from MichelGoulet in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Islanders.

However, Steve Larmer, the other slumping scorer Sutter haschallenged to step up his game, was another matter.

"Larmer is really struggling," Sutter said Friday. "I'm tryingnot to be too critical of him because we need him. But the emotionjust isn't there. And if it isn't, you're just going through themotions."

Goulet, who has scored two of his 23 goals in his last 14 games,set up Jeremy Roenick Thursday with a solid assist. Larmer, who hasone goal in 15 games, couldn't get to a rebound on his best chanceagainst New York.

Still, Sutter said Larmer, who has 35 goals, could break out theway he did in late November after struggling at the start of theseason.

"It's the same deal," Sutter said. "You wouldn't thinkconfidence would matter to a guy who has done what he's done. But he just needs something to get him going. You have to take it to thenext level in intensity and start winning the one-on-one battles."

FIVE TO GO: If the Blackhawks win three of the last four, or go2-1-1, they won't have to worry about Detroit or Toronto.

By losing 5-3 in Winnipeg Thursday, the Maple Leafs blew theirbest chance to force a final-game showdown at the Stadium next Thursday.

"That was huge," Sutter said. "Five points will clinch first.

"You don't like it to come down to the last game. Then it cancome down to a bad call or a bad goal."

Detroit is tied for first with the Hawks at 99 points, but hasjust two games left - home games against Buffalo today and MinnesotaThursday.

The Leafs, who are four points back, have four games left:Philadelphia at home today, at Hartford tomorrow, St. Louis at homeTuesday and at Chicago Thursday.

On the other hand, Sutter said he's glad the Hawks don't havethings wrapped up going into this weekend's home-and-home with thelast-place Tampa Bay Lightning.

"Darn right, I'm glad it's not clinched," Sutter said. "Thisway, they have to play well or they see failure. It challenges them.You don't want to coast in now."

NOTES: Joe Murphy's wife, Julie, gave birth Friday morning totheir first child, a daughter, at Illinois Masonic Hospital. Murphyplanned to join the team in Tampa Friday and be ready for today'sgame. Dave Christian will play in his 999th NHL game today, and coachDarryl Sutter said Christian will play in one of the final threegames to reach the 1,000-game milestone. Islander defenseman Dennis Vaske needed 20 stitches to close a gashabove his right eye when he landed on his forehead after beingchecked by Bryan Marchment Thursday.