Hawks shooting to avoid letdowns

SAN JOSE, Calif. - So far it has been two different Blackhawks teams showing up for the first two stops on this eight-game road trip.

After an energizing 3-2 win at Anaheim on Wednesday, the Hawks failed to respond as a group in Thursday's 5-2 loss to a Kings team nine spots below them in the standings.

"It's always tough to play back-to-back, but we thought we would come out and things were going to work for us because they did last night," Jonathan Toews said. "We started to work the second half of the game and got some chances, but it was too little, too late."

The Hawks now are 2-4-3 against the Kings, Predators and Blues - the three teams with the worst records in the Western Conference.

That's just 7 out of a possible 18 points.

"I think we've got to have respect for everybody in this league," coach Joel Quenneville said. "There are no easy games. Everybody needs points."

It's a lesson the Hawks are learning the hard way.

"You can't take teams for granted," Toews said. "Any team can beat you, especially if you give them chances. Every team has a lot of skill."

Big picture: The Hawks are looking at the eight-game trip in segments of three, three and two, with the first part concluding tonight against the Sharks.

"We're taking it in three-game segments here and we're looking forward to (tonight) now to make this a positive road trip," Brian Campbell said.

After tonight's game, the Hawks will charter to Las Vegas for a day off Sunday and a practice Monday before starting the Western Canada segment with games in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

The Hawks return home from Vancouver for a few days of practice before the last two stops on the trip in Atlanta and St. Louis.

Forsberg update: If the Hawks were interested in signing free-agent center Peter Forsberg, and general manager Dale Tallon had made inquiries, they can forget it.

Forsberg told the Swedish national TV network SVT on Friday that he has ruled out playing in the NHL this season because of questions about his surgically repaired right foot.

"There won't be any NHL this season, that's totally clear," Forsberg said.

The 35-year-old Forsberg said if he plays anywhere the rest of this season it will be for his hometown team, Modo, in Sweden.

Losing it: The Hawks were a pathetic 32 percent on faceoffs against the Kings.

Dave Bolland lost 10 of 15 draws, Colin Fraser 5 of 6 and Adam Burish 7 of 8. Jonathan Toews won 8 and lost 9.