Quenneville still tinkering with Hawks' top two lines
Is it a big deal that Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville keeps tinkering with his top two lines? Not to captain Jonathan Toews.
"It doesn't really matter what combination it is, it's all about seeing what works and I don't think there's going to be too many ways that don't," Toews said.
"We'll just keep changing up the lines if that's what has to be done. It doesn't really matter who's playing with whom."
Quenneville split up Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane for the third period at Los Angeles on Saturday and that's how it will stay for tonight's game against Columbus at the United Center.
Patrick Sharp will skate at left wing with Toews and Hossa while Kane returns to playing right wing on the second line with center Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien.
"It doesn't mean (Kane) won't be back on that line," Toews said. "Throughout our lineup there are so many ways that you can put us together. The last couple games, as a team we've struggled to score, but it's not a big deal. We'll find a way."
Quenneville stopped short of saying getting Kane back to the right side, where he is more comfortable, was the reason behind the tweaking.
"Whether that's the reason, or the enhancement of having two lines that gives the opposition something to be concerned with," Quenneville said. "It just gives us maybe one more line that is very high end and maybe they get a little bit of a looser matchup or lesser coverage type thing.
"The last two games we didn't have anything 5-on-5 to show, and that's more it than anything. Right now those two lines look dangerous. Over the course of time we'll probably visit every combination more than once."
Trap game: Joel Quenneville is among most NHL coaches who worry about the first home game after a long road trip.
The Hawks play the Blue Jackets tonight at the United Center after a successful 4-1-1 road trip.
"I find them very tricky, but we want to take that excuse or that option right out of it knowing it's going to be a hard game," Quenneville said.
"I think sometimes, whether it's jet lag or fatigue of the trip, you could probably come up with 40 different reasons or excuses, so let's not even figure it out. Let's make ourselves feel good and find a way to get through it."
Looking good: The Hawks will be wearing their new third jerseys for the first time tonight. The uniform is a variation of the popular one the Hawks wore in the Winter Classic with parts taken from the jerseys of 1934-37.
The jersey is available for purchase exclusively at Blackhawks Store (333 N. Michigan Ave.), by calling 1-800-GO-HAWKS, the Blackhawks Store kiosk at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg or the official NHL.com shop.