Lots of ice time for Hawks' defensive trio
Some eyebrows were raised when the final stat sheet came out and it showed Duncan Keith recorded a game-high 29:40 of ice time in Thursday's season opener at Dallas, while Niklas Hjalmarsson was just over 25 minutes and Brent Seabrook over 23.
Pretty hefty ice time for so early in the season, but not outrageous, according to Seabrook.
“I was surprised at Duncs a little bit,” Seabrook said. “That's sort of around where we all play, though. Throughout the year, some days we'll play 20, some days we'll play 23, 24, 25. It's just sort of how the game went.”
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said breaks in the schedule allow for some increased ice time when necessary.
“I think we're comfortable with our schedule, and this season's a lot different than the last few years,” he said. “We don't want them out there in the high 20s much this year, but if it happens we'll be playing that game to try to win that game.
“In certain games you can lay off them a little bit. We have a light schedule in October, and that'll help us get in gear across the board.”
The big minutes weren't the only eyebrow raisers Thursday. The Hawks also were at a loss to explain what was with their sluggish start as the Stars took it to them for the first two periods.
“I hope we don't see a lot of those games; that was a tough one for the whole room,” Bryan Bickell said. “They came out flying like we expected and we were just not there.
“I think our mindset before games — whoever we play — needs to be better than that. We need to play a full 60. We only played 20 minutes of that game. We were lucky to get points.”
They'll get a chance to work on that Saturday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres in the home opener at the United Center.
As usual, the Hawks will launch the festivities with a red-carpet event on Madison Street in front of the United Center. The team will arrive via limousine in front of Gate 3 at approximately 5 p.m. and everybody will be introduced before walking down a red carpet and into the United Center's Gate 2.
Radio play-by-play announcer John Wiedeman will serve as master of ceremonies.
“It's exciting to be part of the anthem and feeling it, especially opening night,” Quenneville said. “I'm expecting the buzz — it should be a fun game. Let's be respectful of our opponent and get out to a much better start than (in Dallas).”
• Patrick Sharp didn't practice Friday. He was “resting,” according to Quenneville. ... Michal Rozsival will not play Saturday. Quenneville said he would target the veteran defenseman for next week.