Hawks turn to Keith and Seabrook to contain Iginla's explosiveness

By the time this first-round playoff series with the Calgary Flames is over, Blackhawks defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook should know what cologne Jarome Iginla wears and what gum he chews.

Having Keith and Seabrook on the ice against the explosive Iginla is the matchup Hawks coach Joel Quenneville wants, and the one he'll have an easier time getting at home when he has the last line change.

"We've got some guys that can play against him," Quenneville said. "I know that when we're at home it's going to be a more dedicated matchup.

"He's dangerous in all situations in every single second he's on the ice. We have to be aware of his importance to scoring goals for them or changing momentum in games. He can be a big factor."

Iginla is one of those elusive players almost impossible to stop. He had 35 goals and 89 points for the Flames in somewhat of a down season for him as a former two-time 50-goal scorer.

"Anytime you're out there with Iginla, all five guys have to know who's out there, and be extra aware and stay on the defensive side of the puck and not go for goals," Seabrook said. "He's one of the best players in the league, and he's going to be dangerous anytime down the ice.

"You always have to be aware of him on the ice, and try to have a good stick and take all his options away."

The Hawks' checking line of Sammy Pahlsson, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien will get the assignment with Keith and Seabrook of containing the Flames' top line of Olli Jokinen, Iginla and Rene Bourque.

This is exactly why the Hawks acquired Pahlsson at the trade deadline, to go up against the top centers in the Western Conference such as the 6-foot-3, 214-pound Jokinen.

"We're going to do our best to stop those guys," said Pahlsson, who doesn't see himself shadowing Iginla.

"He creates a lot of problems," Pahlsson said. "He's an elite player in the league and one of the best out there. He's really hard to stop because he's good at everything. He skates really well, he's got a really good shot, and he's really strong on the puck."

While so much of the pre-series hype has focused on Hawks such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin, it's Pahlsson who could be one of the keys to advancing.

"Looking at what Sammy's accomplished in the playoffs over the last few years, he's one of those guys when you're up against him and playing against him shift after shift, it can be a long night and can be a long series," Quenneville said. "That's what makes him effective."

The Hawks will need to match what the Flames bring physically, which can be a lot to handle.

"I have no doubt they're going to try and be physical, but every game in the playoffs is going to be physical," Keith said. "We feel confident and good about our game, but there's no reason why we can't keep getting better even in the playoffs."

Quenneville said his team is "excited" to get the series started, and he isn't worried about some of his young players being too amped up.

"Watching and gauging them over the past few days, I haven't see signs they we're overly enthused," Quenneville said. "I think you need good energy and need to be excited about playing, but it has to be channeled properly."

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