Defense coming together nicely for Hawks

LOS ANGELES — Lost in translation amidst Patrick Sharp's opening goal against the Kings on Sunday was the defensive work in the Blackhawks end that started the ball rolling.

It began with defenseman Duncan Keith poke-checking the puck toward the blue line where Patrick Kane lifted the stick of a Kings defenseman and headed up ice with Sharp.

“I think that it just a nice play,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Great play in the slot by Dunks and transition, a nice little play to end it with Kaner and Sharpie, so we were fortunate in that area.

“But at the same time, we worked all over the ice and it was kind of the trend we've shown recently. We keep getting better off these levels and that's what we're looking for.”

Reunited and it feels so good:

Against Anaheim and Los Angeles, the old defensive pairings of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, along with Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson, were back together.

“Our D, I like the way our pairs have been since we split up,” Quenneville said. “At the same time, Dunc and Seabs it's always a nice thing to go back to. And Soupy (Campbell) and Hammer have a nice thing going as well.

“I think the nice thing is in the course of a season and a course of games, pretty much anybody can play with anybody back there and we know we're going to get the job done.”

The defensemen seem to enjoy reuniting with their familiar partners as well.

“Just knowing what Niklas is going to do out there, for myself it definitely helps,” Campbell said. “We read off each other. We mix well together. I know Duncs and Seabs have enjoyed playing together.”

Right back at ya, Hjalmarsson said.

“It's always nice to play with Soupy; you know what he brings ever night,” Hjalmarsson said. “He's consistent and good with the puck. It's fun to be back with him.”

Old hat:

Patrick Kane has been on the Hawks circus trip for a number of years now, but even he says it still takes some getting used to.

Imagine what it must have been like for all the new Hawks.

“It's a tough trip. I know in my first year on the trip I wasn't very good at all,” he said. “You get better every year, you get used to it. It's tough living out of a suitcase for two weeks.”

But winning the final two games and finishing up 4-2 on the trip made it all worthwhile.

“Overall we've got to be happy with this trip,” Kane said. “We got to go to Vegas, we got to come to California and we got to play in Canada. So overall, I think you're three-for-three.”

One brave man:

Patrick Sharp on the beating Kings winger Kevin Westgarth took at the hands of John Scott on Saturday: “I give the other a guy a lot of credit for standing in there. It's not an easy job that those guys have. Johnny got him and that was impressive, but give the other guy credit.”