Hawks hoping depth keeps them fresh
A lack of depth can expose a team on a long road trip, which is something the Blackhawks don't need to worry about as they head out for eight straight games away from the United Center.
"On long road trips guys are bound to get bumps and bruises and fatigued," winger Troy Brouwer said. "So when you can distribute all the minutes throughout the night and nobody gets overtired for a couple games, everyone is able to just run and play their best."
The Hawks are one of the deepest teams in the NHL, which helps coach Joel Quenneville deal with matchups, particularly on the road where the home coach has last line change.
"It's probably pretty discouraging for other teams to see that," Brouwer said. "Instead of focusing on one line, they've got to deal with three or four lines that can score. It's something good we've got going for us right now."
The Hawks could get even deeper before the road trip ends on Jan. 30 with center Dave Bolland's return from back surgery on the near horizon.
Playing keep away: The Hawks' puck possession game was a big factor in Thursday's 3-0 win over Columbus.
"Detroit has changed their style and Chicago has picked it up," Blue Jackets star winger Rick Nash said. "It's a puck possession game. You don't see them dumping the puck. You don't see (Patrick) Kane and (Jonathan) Toews dumping and chasing. They're making plays.
"Chicago's one of the most skilled teams in the league. They kept us in our own end quite a bit. We tried to keep them to the outside, but they just kept coming."
The Blue Jackets get a chance for redemption today in a rematch with the Hawks at Nationwide Arena.
Too much information: Hawks center John Madden was asked about packing for two weeks on the road.
"I don't think I have 16 pair of underwear so I might have to double up once or twice," Madden joked.
Goalie rotation: Joel Quenneville said Cristobal Huet would start today in Columbus fresh off his 3-0 shutout of the Blue Jackets on Thursday at the United Center.
Quenneville strongly hinted that Antti Niemi would get the start Sunday afternoon in Detroit. It was Niemi who blanked the Red Wings 3-0 on Dec. 23 at Joe Louis Arena.
Tip-ins: Defenseman Cam Barker, who has missed the last five games with an upper body injury, could return today, according to Joel Quenneville ... The Hawks were ranked fifth on the power play and fifth in penalty killing after Thursday's games - A reminder that Sunday's game at Detroit starts at 11:30 a.m., and not 2 p.m., which is how it appears on most schedules.