Brouwer’s scoreless streak at 17 games

The Blackhawks need Troy Brouwer to get it going offensively.

Brouwer hasn’t scored a goal in 17 games and is minus-5 with just 1 assist during that stretch.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done much of anything except for hit people,” Brouwer said. “So for me, I’ve really got to start picking up my offensive game, especially going into the playoffs. With (Patrick) Sharp out we need everyone pitching in and scoring.”

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville likely will try to get more out of Brouwer by putting him back on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for tonight’s game in Detroit.

“Whether it’s him or (Bryan Bickell), we need more physicality up front,” Quenneville said. “We need more of a net-front presence in zone or on the attack. We need those guys to be more involved.”

Brouwer has played some of his best hockey with Toews and Kane.

“I try to play relatively the same, but when you’re with those guys it’s obviously different,” Brouwer said. “There’s always that increased chance to get points and get more quality ice time.

“It’s easier to play with those guys because you’re in a rhythm. When you’re on another line you kind of get shuffled down, especially when we’re matching lines. I’ll go into the corners and get pucks for them, go in front of the net and let them do their thing.”

Encouraging news:

Joel Quenneville gave a positive update Sunday on injured winger Patrick Sharp.

Quenneville said Sharp was making “rapid progress” from his left knee injury, which could mean the Hawks will indeed get their leading goal scorer back before the end of the regular season.

“I won’t say exactly when he’s hitting the ice, but he’s making some rapid progress here,” Quenneville said. “We’re really pleased and encouraged he’s been able to ratchet up his off-ice training and conditioning as well. I don’t have a number of days when he can get back on the ice, but we’re happy with his progress.”

Tip-ins: Jake Dowell needed 40 stitches to close the cut over his left eye suffered Saturday when he had his head driven into the ice by Anaheim’s Jarkko Ruutu, who wasn’t penalized. ... Corey Crawford starts in goal for the 19th straight game, again looking for his 30th victory.