Quenneville focuses on Hawks' positives in opener
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville preferred to look at Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to Colorado in a positive light.
“We did some good things as the game progressed, Quenneville said. “That was a good point. We had the puck a lot in overtime and had a lot of quality chances.
The Hawks were outshot 41-38 but carried much of the play in the third period while coming back from 3-1 deficit on goals by Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.
Goalie Marty Turco made 37 saves in his Hawks debut, facing far too many good scoring chances.
“Obviously we're happy the way Turks was playing behind us, but we want to do a better job helping him out, Jonathan Toews said. “We've just got to put this game behind us and hopefully get the ball rolling in the next one.
The Hawks were one of the stingiest teams in the league defensively last season, allowing an average of 25 shots per game, but this is a new year and there are some rough spots to smooth out.
“Maybe the expectations for what occurred last year were there, and it was a great year, but this team hasn't proved anything, Turco said. “It's only one game into the season and giving up 4 and a lot of shots, but there's a lot of room for improvement.
“There's going to be growing pains. It goes with any team and this team is no different in that regard. The teams that usually end up on top and in the playoffs are the teams that learn the quickest.
About the defense: Niklas Hjalmarsson admitted he and rookie partner Nick Leddy could have communicated better on Thursday.Hjalmarsson was minus-3 and on the ice for all 4 Colorado goals. Leddy was minus-1 in his NHL debut and on the ice for 3 goals.#8220;We could have been better, but it's the first game, Hjalmarsson said. #8220;Hopefully we'll be better against Detroit.On Paul Stastny's winning goal in overtime, Leddy let the Avs' star go to chase the pass, but Joel Quenneville said the rookie should have had help from someone on the play.Defensemen John Scott and Jordan Hendry played only 6:58 and 5:33, respectively, against the Avs as it was clear Quenneville had little faith in them in a tight game on the road.Duncan Keith played almost 34 minutes, Brent Seabrook more than 28, Hjalmarsson 22:55 and Leddy 19:21.Look for Nick Boynton to be in the lineup tonight against Detroit after serving his one-game suspension.Tip-ins: Winger Viktor Stalberg played just 6:10 against the Avs and was minus-1#8230;Fernando Pisani played 11:38 and was minus-2. #8230; Jack Skille played 7:15. #8230; Joel Quenneville coached his 1,000th game at Colorado.