Scott's role with Hawks same even at wing

John Scott has been a defenseman most of his hockey life, but if playing on the wing keeps him in the Blackhawks' lineup, then wing it is.

Scott played left wing for the third straight game Monday night against a St. Louis Blues team that plays on the edge.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville wanted the 6-foot-8 Scott's physical presence up front, just as he did Saturday against Buffalo with the threat of payback for Niklas Hjalmarsson's hit on Jason Pominville.

Scott could find himself at wing all week with Vancouver coming to town Wednesday ahead of a rematch with the Blues on Friday in St. Louis.

“They just want me to be a physical presence, Scott said. “We don't have that many guys who bang up front, so just go in there and do what I do, hit some guys, get in front of the goalie and cause a little havoc maybe.

Scott was aware that the Hawks and Blues have had some bad-blood issues in the past and that the Canucks might be the team the Hawks dislike the most.

“You definitely look at the matchups, who we're playing, Scott said. “Teams like Buffalo and Columbus, they're not like tougher teams like St. Louis. They have gritty teams so I'll be a little more valuable against those teams.

“You know what you're getting into in those games and prepare a little differently and just watch out for your teammates a little more and keep an eye on the game a little more keenly.

Quenneville went with Jassen Cullimore and Jordan Hendry as his fifth and sixth defensemen again Monday.

“It's a little strange playing wing, Scott said. “I find myself just not knowing what to do sometimes so I have to think a little more than on defense.

“I feel if I got a solid position and played forward for a while I could do something and score some goals and help this team out. Right now it's kind of a day-by-day thing.