Hawks frustrated heading into break
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Frustration was the prevailing mood inside the Blackhawks’ dressing room Tuesday night.
A second straight uninspiring loss to Nashville capped a rough weekend and sent the Hawks into their six-day all-star break fourth in the Central Division and sixth in the Western Conference.
Defenseman Duncan Keith didn’t want to hear any talk of how the Hawks had to play without the injured Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in Tuesday’s loss.
“Those are two of our best players and guys you can’t replace in the lineup, but having said that, other teams lose guys, have some of their best players out, and still find ways to win,” Keith said. “We’ve done some good things, but the last two games against Nashville, we weren’t happy with how things went.”
Everyone agrees, from general manager Stan Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville down to the players that the Hawks’ team game defensively must improve over the last two-plus months of the season or it could be a short spring again.
“As far as winning the Stanley Cup, it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of effort and full team game,” Keith said. “We have the ability to play a team game in here, but we need to do it consistently.”
The Hawks will have only 32 games left on the schedule when they return from the all-star break Tuesday at Vancouver. Of those 32 games, 20 are on the road.
“You’ve got to get away a little bit, but we know the purpose of this (break) is all about getting rest and making sure we’re ready to go for the last 32 games,” Keith said.
Bowman chosen:
Stan Bowman has been added to the U.S. Men’s National Team advisory group, USA Hockey announced on Wednesday.
“We’re excited to have Stan join our advisory group,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey. “His experience evaluating players and his passion for international hockey will be a great asset.”
Bowman joins fellow NHL general managers Brian Burke, Paul Holmgren, Dean Lombardi, David Poile, Ray Shero and Dale Tallon on the advisory committee.
“I’m honored for the opportunity to contribute to this group, and to the continued success of the U.S. Men’s National Team on the international stage,” Bowman said.
Rockford shuffle:
Forwards Ben Smith and Brandon Pirri were sent to Rockford on Wednesday to play this weekend.
One of both players could be recalled Tuesday to play in Vancouver depending on the health status of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.
Toews (left hand) has a better chance of playing than Sharp, who is rehabbing from a broken left wrist.
Smith played less than five minutes and was minus-1 in Tuesday’s loss to Nashville. Pirri was minus-1 in 13 minutes.
Shaw fact:
No Hawks forward got more ice time than rookie Andrew Shaw against the Predators on Tuesday. Shaw played 21:37, slightly more than Marian Hossa’s 21:25.
