Kane: Referees letting infractions go

The NHL, of course, would deny it, but it's clear to Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane that referees have eased off calling stick-related and interference penalties.

Power plays are down, way down in the case of the Hawks, who had the fifth-lowest number of power plays in the league before Friday's game against Phoenix despite being one of the best skating teams.

Referees are allowing players to be whacked more with sticks on the way to the net, which was an automatic penalty as recently as last season.

And on dump-ins, interference is being let go more and more. Before, after chipping the puck into the attack zone, a player couldn't be touched, but now a bump or the slightest hold-up apparently is OK.

"It's been getting a little worse as the season goes on," Kane said. "It's surprising to see it let go sometimes, especially a guy like (Ben) Eager chips it in and they just hold him up for a second. Usually you weren't allowed to touch him at all.

"It's surprising, especially the way the new rules came in. Obviously, players have adapted to the new rules, but at the same time I think a lot is getting let go, especially with our team. It almost seems like there's a penalty every shift, we have the puck so much. It's pretty frustrating."

In and out: Colin Fraser was back in the lineup Friday with Tomas Kopecky sitting out.

Fraser, who was a healthy scratch for the first time Wednesday against St. Louis, skated at right wing on the fourth line with John Madden at center and Ben Eager at left wing.

Fraser opened the scoring at 4:46 of the first period with his second goal of the season.

Joel Quenneville had no concerns with Fraser moving from his customary position at center to wing.

"His awareness and positioning, no matter where he is, it's pretty astute," Quenneville said.

Coyotes not ugly: All season people have been waiting for the play of the Coyotes to drop off, but it hasn't happened.

"They've done an amazing job," Joel Quenneville said. "They've got a lot of good things going for them. They give themselves a chance game in and game out. I think it's one of the top surprises in our conference with L.A. as well. They look like they're going to be around at the end."

Jumping the Sharks: The Hawks went into Friday's game 5 points behind San Jose in the Western Conference standings.

"They're kind of pulling away a bit, so we want to slow that down," Patrick Kane said.