Hawks' losing streak hits six
MONTREAL -- Funny thing about what is now a six-game losing streak for the Blackhawks.
It just doesn't feel like one.
That's what happens when 3 of the losses are by 1 goal and a pair of the others by 2.
It was another close call that didn't go the Hawks' way Tuesday night. They did nearly everything right except win in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
"We've been right there the last three games," said defenseman Duncan Keith, who was appropriately named the game's second star after logging more than 34 minutes of ice time and chipping in 2 assists. "If we stick with it and battle through it we'll come out of this."
Guillaume Latendresse got the winner at 3:18 of overtime after Hawks defenseman Dustin Byfuglien made a costly decision to pinch in the attack zone.
Winger Martin Havlat tried to take Byfuglien's spot on defense, but Maxim Lapierre went around him to set up Latendresse, who went unchecked in front.
"He (Byfuglien) shouldn't be going in there, but at the same time (Robert) Lang should have cut to the front of the net returning," said Hawks coach Denis Savard. "It's a tough call (for Byfuglien), but you can't take that chance."
Goalie Patrick Lalime, making his first start since Dec. 16, did all he could to get the Hawks their 1 point with a 34-save effort that included a stop on Mark Streit's penalty shot in the first period.
"I think for the most part we played a good game," Lalime said. "We're on the road here and it's not easy. Of course, you'd like to get 2 points, but you have to look at the positive."
The Hawks were more active on offense with 28 shots on Canadiens goalie Cristobal Huet, and they got a power-play goal from Lang.
The Canadiens scored 2 power-play goals, showing why they are the league's top-ranked unit.
"Their power play has been spectacular," Savard said.
The Hawks trailed 2-1 after the first period with rookie Jack Skille getting his first NHL goal at 5:46 on a rebound.
Skille became the sixth Hawk to score his first NHL goal this season joining Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland, Kris Versteeg and Jake Dowell.
"I'm just happy to get it off my back," Skille said. "I hope my parents saw it."
Goals by Lang and Versteeg 18 seconds apart early in the second period gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead, but it didn't last long.
An interference penalty on Brent Seabrook at 7:31 turned into a Andrei Markov power-play goal at 8:04, a wicked slap shot past Lalime.
Savard spoke before the game of the importance of not falling too far behind in the playoff race.
"I'm looking at the end of the month," Savard said. "We have to be a couple games above .500, whether it's 1 or 2 or 3, when we get our (injured) people back. If we fall back, it's going to be tough.
"I know we have a good team even though we're bumped up here. I know we're capable of beating anybody on any given night. We just have to make sure we apply the detail more now. If we do that, we'll be in the race. If we don't, we'll be out of it."