Back to wing for Byfuglien?
Dustin Byfuglien has been nursing a tender ankle, but that's not why Blackhawks coach Denis Savard didn't use the defenseman in the third period Sunday night in Nashville.
Byfuglien has been struggling with his defensive play, so in a game Savard felt that the Hawks had to win, he went with veterans Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brent Sopel and rookie Jordan Hendry for the bulk of the period.
Byfuglien got only eight shifts the entire game -- three in the second period and none in the third. He is a combined minus-8 in the last eight games, and there's a good chance he will be back playing wing Wednesday against St. Louis at the United Center.
Hendry has been a pleasant surprise with his consistency in three games since being recalled from Rockford.
Shootout hero: Patrick Sharp's success on breakaways this season is why Denis Savard had him shooting third in Sunday's shootout against the Predators.
Sharp scored to give the Hawks the 3-2 victory.
"He's shown he can score on breakaways and that's why I put him as the anchor," Savard said.
It was only the third shootout the Hawks have been involved in this season and the first since Nov. 24 in Edmonton. Sharp was ill and missed that game. He wasn't used in the other shootout on opening night against Detroit.
"I haven't had one since that penalty shot at Ottawa and I'm still kicking myself ever since for missing that," he said.
Sharp also scored in regulation for just his second goal in seven games.
"Savvy told me to get back to basics and remember what's let me score goals, and that's driving the net and playing a little gritty," he said.
Staying ready: Patrick Lalime, who is expected to start again Wednesday after his strong game Sunday in Nashville, wants no part of any potential goalie controversy.
"Whenever I get called to go in, I want to make the best of it and do what I can to help the team," Lalime said.
Lalime has played two strong games in a row. He also made 32 saves in last Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss in Montreal.