Detroit or San Jose? San Jose or Detroit? A pinch of Pittsburgh here, a dash of New Jersey there…

Over the last several years, the list of “lock” NHL teams – squads you get bet on regardless of their situation – has been short. This season, a new team has not just vaulted into that elite, but above them: the Chicago Blackhawks.

They were already contenders entering the 2009-10 season but they’re showing now that they’re top NHL picks on every night of the week. They trailed 5-0 to Calgary in October and rallied to win a game 6-5 in overtime. They crushed the Flames 7-1 this month – in Calgary. They beat the breakout Los Angeles Kings. They beat San Jose at home last week.

Then, on Wednesday night, the real declaration happened: Chicago throttled San Jose, the perennial superpower, 7-2 at the Shark Tank. The Hawks led 7-0 only to give up some garbage time goals late in the contest. The big takeaway was that Marian Hossa arrived. He joined a first-place team already on a seven-game win streak and scored two goals in his first game. Chicago just gets that much better now. Toss in the breakout of Duncan Keith, who is making a good case for the Canadian Olympic team, and you have the NHL’s best team.

Travelling to Pittsburgh or Philly? Hosting Washington after playing the night before? It doesn’t matter – the Blackhawks are your top NHL picks going forward in any situation.