Big, burly and beautiful to Blackhawks

You have to wonder if the opposition teams like the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks are having nightmares of Dustin Byfuglien scoring goals against them in their sleep. The emergence of Byfuglien (8g-2a-10pts)might have something to do with playing on the line with Patrick Kane (7g-13-20pts) and Jonathan Toews (7g-16a-25pts).

CHICAGO - Here's how Dustin Byfuglien sees it: The puck always finds him when he is in the perfect position.

His Chicago Blackhawks teammates view it this way: Big Buff's easy to find when he's open because at six foot four and 257 pounds, he's hard to miss.

Whatever the reason, Byfuglien has emerged as a star for the young Blackhawks. He scored three game-winning goals during a sweep of San Jose in the Western Conference final that put Chicago in the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1992.

Like a big tight end clawing his way through defenders to get open or a linebacker crushing a running back with a block in the open field, Byfuglien's physical play, deft touch and ability to clear space have given his team another element in its quest for the franchise's first NHL title since 1961.

Put him on the same line with the team's most recognizable and publicized young stars, 21-year-old Patrick Kane and 22-year-old captain Jonathan Toews, and Byfuglien has really blossomed. He scored one goal in each game against the Sharks.

"I'm not really on any cloud right now," said Byfuglien (pronounced BUHF'-lihn). "I'm just doing work for the kids and finishing it up. I have faith in myself and I just kept going."

Byfuglien, who had a hat trick in a victory over the Canucks in the semifinals when he took up his customary role in front of goalie Roberto Luongo, showed his versatility against the Sharks. He had the game-winner in the opener with a wrist shot from the slot after Toews won a faceoff and Kane slid him the puck.

"With those two you never know what's going to happen," Byfuglien said.