Hawks boast semi-potent power play

When it comes to the power play, Blackhawks coach Denis Savard prefers to paint a positive picture.

The Hawks did get 1 power-play goal in Sunday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers, giving them at least 1 in the last six games.

But they failed to score on a 5-on-3 power play that they held for 1:39 starting late in the first period, marking the eighth straight time they've failed with a two-man advantage.

A second power-play goal during the 5-on-3 and there might not have been a need for overtime.

"The 5-on-3, we had chances," Savard said. "We're getting better. And the more reps they see and the more situations they face, the better we're going to get."

The Hawks have 7 power-play goals in the last six games. The six consecutive games with power-play goals is the longest streak of the season.

"If you get a goal every game, at the end of the day it's 82 a year," Savard said. "We're not going to get to 80 this year, and that was our goal, but right now in the last little while here, especially in a playoff race, they're getting it done."

Back in the mix: Kevyn Adams played seven minutes, had 2 shots on goal and was minus-1 in his return from missing 53 games with torn knee ligaments.

"I felt great," Adams said. "I felt strong. I wanted to make sure I kept it simple with short shifts and not doing anything too much. It felt good to be back in the game with the adrenaline flowing."

Overtime wonders: It's one of the most amazing statistics of this NHL season, the fact Sunday's game for the Edmonton Oilers was their 22nd decided either in overtime or by a shootout.

The Oilers have won 17 of those games, pocketing 17 bonus points, with only 5 losses. They are only 2 points behind the Hawks in the Western Conference standings.

Atlanta has played 23 overtime games to lead the NHL.

Double digits: With his 10th goal in Sunday's loss, Duncan Keith became only the third Hawks defenseman in the last eight seasons to reach double figures in goals.

Bryan Berard had 13 goals in 2003-04 and Phil Housley 15 in 2001-02.

Tip-ins: Sunday's crowd of 20,619 gave the Hawks their seventh sellout of the season. ... With Kevyn Adams and Dave Bolland returning from injuries, Bryan Bickell was a healthy scratch. ... The Hawks were outhit 19-15 but went 35-25 in faceoffs, led by Jonathan Toews' 16 wins in 25 tries.