Defense delivers, holding Kings to 15 shots on goal

Perhaps even more encouraging than Patrick Sharp's strong return from the injury list Sunday was the Blackhawks' defensive effort from top to bottom in their 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center.

Brent Seabrook led the way physically with 7 hits, while Aaron Johnson and Jordan Hendry filled in admirably for regulars Cam Barker and Matt Walker, who sat out with undisclosed injuries.

"I think our forwards did a great job coming back and helping us out," Seabrook said. "We tried to break up as much as we could off the rush, but if they did get a shot and a rebound our forwards seemed to be back to help us out and clear pucks.

"The big thing was we were physical and took it to them physically. It was a good all-around game."

Hendry was recalled from Rockford and inserted in the lineup on defense along with Johnson, who had been a healthy scratch in 16 of the previous 17 games.

"I thought they did a great job," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Those two guys came in and played some quality minutes and some important minutes. They were dependable, had a nice gap and defensively did what they had to do."

The Kings had only 15 shots on goal, the fewest allowed by the Hawks all season.

"Give Chicago credit," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "They played a tough defensive game."

Bad timing: Ben Eager's three-game suspension for a hit to the head of Edmonton's Liam Reddox on Friday came a little more than a week after the issue of head shots was addressed at the general managers meetings in Florida, with them recommending a tougher stance by the NHL.

"One thing was there was zero intent there," Joel Quenneville said. "We got victimized by the timing. It was a tough break."

Eager, considered a repeat offender because of his three-game suspension to start the season for a hit on Sean Avery in a preseason game against Dallas, will lose $21,951 in salary.

Eager must also sit out Wednesday's game against San Jose and Friday's game against New Jersey.

Remember when? Jonathan Toews' failed penalty shot in Friday's loss to Edmonton extended the Hawks' streak of missed penalty shots on home ice to 17 dating to 1987.

Troy Murray was the last Hawk to score on a penalty shot at home on Dec. 30, 1987, against Minnesota North Stars goalie Kari Takko.

The Hawks have never scored on a penalty shot at the United Center.

Tip-ins: Jonathan Toews received the Hinckley Springs man-of-the-year award before Sunday's game in recognition for his positive impact on youth hockey in Illinois. - Nikolai Khabibulin's win was his first since Feb. 11 in Atlanta. - The Hawks won only 44 percent of Sunday's faceoffs, with Sammy Pahlsson going 4-6. - Duncan Keith had 3 assists, matching his career high for assists and points in a game.