Hawks settling on line combinations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After more than a month of trying one line combination after another, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville might be ready to leave things alone for a while.
A big part of it is the fact the Hawks will have their complete lineup for the first time this season tonight against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
“I don't think we'll be changing lines forever,” Quenneville said Friday. “There will be some stability there.”
Winger Troy Brouwer will get another shot on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.
“He's played well before with Johnny and he had a couple games there (recently) and did a nice job,” Quenneville said.
Brouwer has only 1 goal in 18 games and takes over the left wing spot on the top line from Viktor Stalberg.
Quenneville thinks Brouwer can be “more of a presence at the net, more of a disruption.”
Dave Bolland will center the second line for Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Hossa still is working his way back from the upper body injury that sidelined him for five games.
“It's been two games back and I thought he was better (Wednesday) than the first game,” Quenneville said. “I see him returning to that form when he was a dominant player as good as anyone in the game to start the season.”
Fernando Pisani will center the third line for Stalberg and Tomas Kopecky, with Jake Dowell, Bryan Bickell and Jack Skille comprising the fourth line.
Keith watch:
So what's the proper number of minutes for Duncan Keith to play? Joel Quenneville wants it to be closer to the 26:35 he averaged last season.
Right now Keith is playing almost 29 minutes a night.
“Every game is different; it just depends on how the game is going,” Keith said. “Obviously I like to play a lot, but every player will say that they like to play as much as they can.
“Is there a number? I don't know if there's a number.”
Said Quenneville: “His numbers are higher this year than last year. If we can get him at that number or under that number, it would be the perfect world.”
Quenneville will stick with the new-look defense pairings unveiled Wednesday of Keith and Nick Boynton, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Brian Campbell and either Jordan Hendry, John Scott or Jassen Cullimore.
Get the vote out:
The Hawks have a league high of six players on the 100-man all-star ballot. Fan voting begins Monday.
The six Hawks on the ballot are forwards Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, and defensemen Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell.
Captain Serious:
With the Hawks struggling, Joel Quenneville sees captain Jonathan Toews trying to take on too much of the responsibility.
“He puts a lot of onus and responsibility on his own shoulders and I think that's something he can learn to share a little bit more among the leadership group of the team,” Quenneville said. “But that's the type of guy he is. That's how proud he is and competitive he is.
“He's not happy, but as a coach you want that type of attitude amongst everyone.”