Good and bad for Blackhawks on power play

DENVER - The decision by Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to put Dustin Byfuglien at the point on the struggling power play Friday drew mixed results.

While Byfuglien scored a power-play goal in the first period on a slap shot through a Tomas Kopecky screen for a 1-0 lead, he let David Jones beat him wide for a short-handed goal in the second period that made it 2-2.

Before the game, Quenneville spoke on what it would take to get the power play turned around.

"We're looking for more activity around the net, maybe tougher in the puck areas, more retrievals, more desperation on it," Quenneville said. "I think that can change the flow of it."

The Hawks were 2-for-32 when Byfuglien scored. The power play had dropped to 23rd in the NHL.

"The power play needs to get going," defenseman Cam Barker said. "I think we need to get more pucks to net, really get in lanes. We're not getting the puck through and it's something we need to work on. We definitely need to be better if we want to win those games."

Few more days: The Hawks continued to play better safe than sorry with Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager.

Neither Toews nor Eager played against the Avalanche as they continue to round into shape from concussions.

Quenneville hinted there's a good chance Toews and Eager would be cleared to play for Monday's game against Los Angeles at the United Center.

"Hopefully they both can get in there," he said.

Eager missed his 13th straight game and Toews his sixth in a row.

"Benny's real close," Quenneville said. "He's been on the ice a little longer than Johnny, and he's feeling way better than he has at any point all year long."

Bickell recalled: With Dave Bolland unable to play Friday when his back problem flared up, left wing Bryan Bickell was recalled from Rockford for the second time this season instead of a center.

"It gives us come options," Quenneville said. "Bick had a good camp and gives us some size and some quickness. I think he can help us."

Tip-ins: Kris Versteeg moved from wing to center to replace Dave Bolland-The Avs lost defenseman John-Michael Liles in the first period with a shoulder injury...Avs goalie Craig Anderson started for the 16th time in 17 games.