So-so play of late won't get Hawks where they want to go

Remember that loss at Minnesota on Jan. 9 when the Blackhawks blew a 5-1 lead in the third period?

Since that ugly night at the Xcel Energy Center the Hawks are 6-5-1 and have been outscored 39-36.

While those are hardly numbers to send everyone reaching for the panic button, it's a pace that's not going to get the Hawks the President's Trophy.

"We're going through a down point of the season," defenseman Brian Campbell said Thursday. "We expect more from ourselves, but I'm glad it's happening now."

In defense of the Hawks, 3 of those losses came on their grueling eight-game road trip, but even during those two weeks away from the United Center the players talked about how they had gotten away from their game.

Wednesday's 3-2 loss to St. Louis, where turnovers led to 2 of the Blues' goals, provided further proof that the Hawks' overall game has slipped a bit.

"We had some of those winning streaks early in the year where we were playing so consistently and everything seemed to be bouncing our way," captain Jonathan Toews said. "We'd go into games not worrying about a thing and sure enough we'd go work hard and earn those 2 points and just find a way to come out on top.

"Some of these nights (now) we seem to be playing a little inconsistent, but it happens, and it happens to good teams. It's that type of adversity we have to battle through and learn from. Obviously you learn more from your bad nights."

The Hawks haven't checked as well or as consistently in the last few weeks and they've made more mistakes with the puck in their own end.

"Where we get in trouble is when we're not moving (the puck) quick enough or not moving ourselves quick enough," Campbell said. "We just have to get back to our tight checking. That's how goals develop for us. We feed off other team's mistakes."

The Hawks have scored 2 or fewer goals in four of their last seven games and lost all four games. Despite this, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville's concern level remains relatively low.

"We had an eight-game trip that was something we got through," Quenneville said. "I just think (it's) not being satisfied with maybe out-chancing and out-playing teams and thinking that's good enough. The bottom line is we have to get results."

Said Marian Hossa: "I think we're trying to make too many cute plays right now. Before we just played simple and things were going our way. Right now we're trying to be too fancy and things aren't going our way.

"Teams are ready for us right now and they don't give us as much time or as much space like before."

The Hawks face another tough challenge tonight with Phoenix, the surprise team in the Western Conference. The Coyotes are 34-18-5 and fourth in the West after being picked by nearly everyone to finish last.

"They're not a flash in the pan," Toews said. "They've been playing well all year so they're not a team we can take lightly and expect to win.

"Regardless of who they are as a team we have our own issues we want to deal with. We need to go into that game with an attitude and with a will to win a little more than we did (Wednesday) night. It's about our game and not what they're doing."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p>

<p class="News">Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.</p>

<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet Plus</p>

<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>

<p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> The Coyotes are no fluke. Picked by most experts to finish last in the Western Conference, they are 34-18-5 and fourth in the West, making Dave Tippett a leading candidate for coach of the year. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has been the big story in the desert with 30 wins, a 2.29 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and 6 shutouts.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Season series:</b> Phoenix leads 1-0 thanks to a 3-1 win at home on Nov. 5.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, 7 p.m. Saturday.</p>

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<li><a href="/story/?id=356910">Kovalchuk traded to Devils<span class="date"> [2/5/10]</span></a></li>

<li><a href="/story/?id=356908">Quenneville standing behind Huet<span class="date"> [2/5/10]</span></a></li>

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