Inability to build on Calgary win frustrates Savard

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Blackhawks coach Denis Savard didn't get the response he was looking for from his team Sunday night against the Canucks.

Coming off a 3-1 victory at Calgary, Savard wanted the Hawks to pick up where they left off in Alberta, but instead their 3-2 loss in a shootout was another step backward.

"We had a game plan and we didn't follow it," Savard said. "Our fourth line (of Adam Burish, Martin Lapointe and Craig Adams) did what they were supposed to do, but you can't have just one line doing it.

"Our skill players have to do it, too. Again, we made too many turnovers. You can't play that way this time of year."

This time, Martin Havlat couldn't be blamed. Havlat left the game early in the first period and didn't return after he became ill on the bench.

Losing Havlat forced Savard to move Patrick Kane off the line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp and onto the line with Robert Lang and Tuomo Ruutu.

Havlat is expected to be well enough to play Wednesday at Columbus.

Looking strong: Jonathan Toews' return from his knee injury went better than well.

Toews played more than 22 minutes against the Canucks, set up Patrick Sharp's goal and helped set up another by Cam Barker. Toews also won 15 of 19 faceoffs.

"He was great," Denis Savard said.

"I felt all right," Toews said. "I was sucking a little wind at times. The way I played could have been a lot worse."

Same old: The Hawks were 0-for-5 on the power play against the Canucks and now are 3-for-58 over the past 11 games.

Denis Savard believes Jonathan Toews will help the power play improve by his presence.

"He's going to make a difference," Savard said. "Power plays are about winning battles and that's his strength."

Tip-ins: Monday was a day off as the Hawks flew from Vancouver to Columbus. … Denis Savard used Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in Sunday's shootout and they all failed to beat Roberto Luongo. … Defenseman Jordan Hendry had a strong game against the Canucks, playing 22 minutes with 3 shots on goal, 2 hits and 4 blocked shots.