Toews, Sharp push Perreault out of lineup

The emergence of Jonathan Toews as the Blackhawks' No. 2 center, along with Patrick Sharp's strong start, has not only pushed Yanic Perreault down the depth chart but out of the lineup altogether for Tuesday's game against Columbus.

Perreault, who is minus-3 with 1 assist in seven games, was a healthy scratch for the first time this season despite the fact he wins more faceoffs than any other center in the NHL.

Perreault was signed as a free agent (one year, $1.5 million) to be the Hawks' second center and help lead the power play. The 19-year-old Toews has taken away both jobs.

"We'll try to fit him in some spot," said Hawks coach Denis Savard. "But to play him on the fourth line is not his game. We acquired him for the power play, but unfortunately for him the kids (Toews and Patrick Kane) have earned that role."

Perreault was 12-for-12 in faceoff wins last week against Colorado, but not even the ability to win draws was enough to get him in the lineup Tuesday.

"To put him on one of the other three lines is not fair to the other guys," Savard said. "The other guys have played better. I like the line of (Sergei) Samsonov, Sharp and (Adam) Burish. They can skate, move the puck and they fit better together.

"We're gong to need Yanic. He doesn't have to play center, he can play left wing. It's a long year. He'll be back in there and make a difference."

Perreault took the benching like a pro.

"This is a good hockey team with a lot of good players," Perreault said. "I came here to play a role, but my role has changed a bit and I need to adapt. Now maybe I have to do it on the third or fourth line."

Easy does it: The Hawks' good start and the news that the local blackout of home games will be lifted soon brought a larger number of media people to the United Center for Tuesday's morning skate.

"It's exciting, but we still have a long way to go," Denis Savard said. "We've got to make sure we stay on an even keel here."

Great weekend: Could Patrick Kane's weekend have been any better?

Kane not only scored his first NHL goal in Friday's win over Colorado, he was named the first star Saturday in Toronto in his first appearance on Hockey Night in Canada.

"I'm surprised I got No. 1 star, but it was unbelievable," Kane said.

Kane planned to give the puck from his first NHL goal to his parents.

"They've helped me so much in my career," Kane said. "It'll give them something to look at and put in my room."