Hawks' third line clicks as Ladd collects hat trick

Not only did Andrew Ladd collect the first hat trick of his career on Sunday, it was the first by any of the Blackhawks all season.

The last Hawks hat trick was by Patrick Kane against Vancouver in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.

"It was nice to get, but it would have been a lot nicer if we had got 2 points as well," Ladd said after the Hawks' 5-4 loss to the Red Wings at the United Center.

Ladd now has 15 goals. Along with his his 3 goals Sunday, he scored a goal in Friday's win over Vancouver.

Before that he had gone eight games without a goal.

"I've been feeling better lately and getting some looks," Ladd said. "They seem to come in waves at times, but I think I can contribute in that way."

Ladd's last 2 goals came in the third period to bring the Hawks back from a 5-2 deficit. He had 6 shots on goal, 4 hits and 3 blocked shots.

"Laddy had a great game," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I thought he had great speed and great energy, a good forecheck and pressure and a quick stick around the net. I thought he stood out today as far as his energy and his finish as well."

Ladd has fit in well on the third line with John Madden and Dustin Byfuglien as Quenneville is trying to get his lines settled for the stretch run and into the playoffs.

It wasn't a good day for the Hawks' top line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp against Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk line.

Toews and Kane were minus-3 and Sharp minus-2. Kane had only 2 shots on goal and Sharp 1.

The Hawks' second line of Dave Bolland, Marian Hossa and Troy Brouwer managed only 4 shots on goal.