Brouwer key part of line with Toews and Kane
The way the line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Troy Brouwer is producing, don't look for Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to split them up anytime soon.
Toews has 10 points in the last five games while Kane has 7 goals and 4 assists in the last six games.
Brouwer has been a key for that line with his dirty work around the net. Brouwer has goals in his last two games, giving him 10 for the season.
"He's a big part of our line," Toews said. "He's a big body and he's confident with the puck. He keeps plays alive and is great around the net. He's done a great job in front on the power play banging rebounds and screening, and the same thing 5-on-5."
Not only does Kane lead the Hawks with 44 points, he is plus-14 with only Toews at plus-18 better among the forwards.
"I feel like I'm getting better in that area," Kane said. "Obviously, it helps when you're scoring 5-on-5 for your plus-minus.
"Sometimes for a guy like me the best defense is playing better offense and having the puck more and controlling the puck. It's still a part of the game I'm trying to learn and get better at. Maybe in a couple years I can be a better all-around player and kill penalties and stuff like that."
Dreaming big: After Patrick Kane was named to the U.S. Olympic team on Friday he was asked what would mean more to him, winning a gold medal or winning the Stanley Cup.
"That's a tough question," Kane said. "It would be nice to have both. But first comes first; we're with the Blackhawks right now and that's the team you're worried about now.
"Once the Olympics comes around you want to win that too. I tell you one thing, it can be a (heck) of a year if we can come home with both."
More like it: After allowing 9 goals in their previous two games, the Hawks looked more like themselves defensively in Thursday's 5-1 win over New Jersey.
"It's just attention to detail," center John Madden said. "Coach Quenneville was talking about our own zone and having good sticks, getting in lanes and blocking shots. It seemed like everyone at one point stepped up and blocked a shot."
The Hawks had 13 blocked shots against the Devils, led by Brent Seabrook's 5.
Under pressure: Is tonight a must-win game for St. Louis Blues coach Andy Murray?
It could be.
The surest way for a coach to get fired is to be bad at home, and the Blues are 5-13-3 at Scottrade Center. They are 1-7-2 in their last 10 games at home and have the Hawks' express coming to town tonight.