Garbutt's speed keeps him on Toews-Hossa line
Ryan Garbutt remained on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa during practice at Johnny's IceHouse West on Monday.
Coach Joel Quenneville, who was hoping just last week that Teuvo Teravainen would stick on that line, said he likes Garbutt's speed and "directness."
Quenneville wants that left winger to be consistent when skating with Toews and Hossa against some of the league's top players.
"Be predictable, come up with loose pucks, be aware defensively," Quenneville said. "You're up there against top players on both sides of the puck. They're important shifts so you have to have trust in that position."
Andrew Shaw, who has had a chance on the top line as well, admitted there is a certain amount of pressure that players might feel skating with two of the team's biggest stars.
But at the same time: "We're hockey players and we live to play in those moments," Shaw said. "So it shouldn't affect you too much."
Added Quenneville: "They may not have the skill (Toews and Hossa) have, but certainly energy and purpose is what we're looking for."
Nerves of steel:
Viktor Tikhonov saw his first NHL action in six years when he stepped on the ice at the Barclays Center last Friday during the Hawks' 3-2 OT victory over the Islanders. The former first-round pick, who played in 61 games for Phoenix during the 2008-09 season, didn't feel the nerves he was expecting.
"It was kind of like a strange calmness," Tikhonov said. "I went out there and enjoyed it. It was a really fun game. It was just good to be back."
Tikhonov, who has been skating on the third line with Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen, said he was far more nervous during training camp.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't," he said. "There's 60 guys in camp and the way a lot of guys are playing, you never know. ... You try not to think about it. You want to just focus on yourself, do your best, but at the end of the day it's the coaches' decision and I'm glad they gave me a chance."
Slapshots:
Duncan Keith did not practice Monday. It was a maintenance day for the 32-year-old defenseman. ... Coach Joel Quenneville said that defenseman Michal Rozsival, who is on long-term injured reserve, might start practicing with the team next week.