20-year-old Pirri must stay consistent to stick around

For rookie center Brandon Pirri, being day-to-day has nothing to do with the Blackhawks' injury report.

Knowing he could be returned to Rockford at any moment, Pirri's focus is on taking advantage of the opportunity he has been presented of playing on the Hawks' second line between Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, two of the best offensive players in the NHL.

“You don't want to waste it because you're up here as long as you're playing well,” Pirri said Wednesday. “They're great hockey players and I try to pick up something every day from them because hopefully I'm going to be like them one day. I think anyone around the league would like to play with them.”

The 20-year-old Pirri appeared in his fourth game Wednesday against the Kings, subbing for the injured Marcus Kruger.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville thought Pirri was merely OK on Monday against Columbus following a strong game last week in the win over Montreal.

Pirri is typical of most young players trying to stick in the NHL who have bouts with inconsistency.

“That's part of the process for young guys,” Quenneville said. “He's still 20 years old and working his way here and trying to find a place and a niche. That consistency is something offensively, defensively, confidence with the puck — technically he's improved, but that's probably the learning curve that's to be expected with a young guy, particularly at center.”

Pirri is trying to be as confident as he can on such a huge stage.

“It's just confidence playing my game instead of being timid,” he said. “Down in Rockford my confidence was real high and I'm just trying to bring that same game here.”

Friday for Carcillo:

Joel Quenneville will wait until Friday's game against Detroit to get Daniel Carcillo back into the lineup.

Carcillo missed his sixth straight game Wednesday with an upper body injury.

Marcus Kruger also sat out with concussion symptoms.

Kruger, who was first hurt last week against Pittsburgh, returned Monday against Columbus but took several big hits that set him back.

“I don't think it was one definitive hit,” Quenneville said. “He's feeling better.”

Sutter impressed:

New Kings coach Darryl Sutter isn't surprised to see how successful the Hawks have been in the last several seasons, including winning the 2010 Stanley Cup.

“It's an awesome array of young players and at some point that was going to happen, right?” Sutter said. “You build around a great young captain (Jonathan Toews); it's a good hockey club. Look at the last month what they've been doing — best team in the league right now.”

Feeling better:

Patrick Kane faced the Kings despite missing practice on Tuesday with strep throat.

Kane began feeling bad on Christmas Eve while he was back home in Buffalo. He played Monday against the Blue Jackets despite being ill.

“It wasn't the best I felt out there, not too much energy, and you just try to get through,” Kane said. “The worst is over now.”