Kopecky putting lessons to use
GLENDALE, Ariz. - It's not easy playing in front of the net on the power play, but Blackhawks winger Tomas Kopecky is happy to do the dirty work.
Kopecky looks to have a little bit of Tomas Holmstrom in him, which is no accident.
Holmstrom, considered the best in the business playing in front, and Kopecky were teammates with the Detroit Red Wings.
"I think he learned from the master in Holmstrom," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It's a great opportunity to get quality ice time and get more opportunity to be out there in good situations. We can learn as well, his teammates, how he does it. There are definitely rewards."
Kopecky learned from Holmstrom how to plant his skates just outside the blue paint so as not to interfere with the goalie - something taught to Holmstrom by Scotty Bowman, now a Hawks senior adviser.
"I'm still learning," Kopecky said. "I like it there because there's always a lot of pucks lying around. I had a chance to learn from Holmer in Detroit and I think he's the best in the league at what he does. It's all about timing and positioning.
"You've got to have a lot of courage to go in front with guys like (Cam ) Barker shooting from the blue line really hard. It's a tough area, but at the same time if you go in there, you're going to get a reward."
Putting Kopecky in front with the second unit was one way Quenneville hoped to ignite what has become a stagnant power play. He also paired Barker and Brian Campbell as point men on the first unit for Thursday's game against the Coyotes.
"When it's not working exactly how you want it, or you're not getting the production, you've got to try different things," Quenneville said.
Not just yet: The Hawks decided against rushing Jonathan Toews back into the lineup against the Coyotes.
Toews, who suffered a concussion Oct. 21, resumed skating only on Wednesday and the Hawks wanted to give him a few more days to get into game shape.
Toews will skate again this morning in Denver before a decision is made on him playing against the Avalanche tonight.
"It's only been two days I've been back on the ice so it's more than just feeling good," Toews said. "It's getting your game back and getting your legs back under you.
"We'll take it day-by-day, the same as we have the last couple weeks. Today (Thursday) was better than yesterday and hopefully tomorrow is the same case. We'll see how everything goes at the morning skate."
Tip-ins: Ben Eager, who missed is 12th straight game Thursday because of a concussion, could return to the lineup tonight ... A better crowd is expected in Denver than the franchise-low 11,012 that turned out for Wednesday's game against Phoenix at the Pepsi Center ... Prized Avs rookie Matt Duchene is questionable with a bum shoulder.