Pahlsson impact player for Hawks

Most fans want to see immediate results from the trade deadline deals, but the Blackhawks believed Sammy Pahlsson would be worth the wait.

Pahlsson was recovering from mononucleosis when the Hawks acquired him from Anaheim on March 4 for James Wisniewski. Since Pahlsson got into the lineup, the Hawks were 7-2-2 in the toughest part of the season going into Wednesday's game against Columbus.

"Sammy's one of those guys that when you watch him play, you know what he brings to the team," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "His smarts and intelligence and physicality and experience of doing whatever it takes to win are noticed. You can see the impact he's having on our team right now in these types of games."

Quenneville seems to have settled on a checking line for the playoffs of Pahlsson, Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd.

"I think Buff is playing his best hockey of the year right now, and Sammy has been comfortable in the role to have the responsibility to shut down top lines," Quenneville said. "They've had the puck a lot and have made some plays offensively. They're big and they check well, but they can also make plays.

"It's a well-rounded line that's been instrumental in us having a little success here."

Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock thinks the Hawks have become a different team with Pahlsson.

"You could see something change gradually with the addition of Pahlsson," said Hitchcock. "They've become a good checking team."

Work to do: The Hawks would like to get the power play turned around before the playoffs start. They were 0-for-23 in six games before meeting Columbus on Wednesday.

"I know it's been a real sore point lately and we need to get that going before the playoffs," Joel Quenneville said. "At the same time if we generate some opportunities and don't lose momentum in games with it, I think it's only a matter of time before it gets going."

Record setters: A Hawks franchise attendance record fell Wednesday night with the team's 39th straight sellout, smashing the mark of 835,971 set during the 1995-96 season. The Hawks lead the NHL in attendance with more than 22,000 per game. That doesn't include the 40,818 at the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.