Blackhawks' discipline is showing

It's an important statistic in the Blackhawks' three-game winning streak — the fact they've been short-handed only three times in those games.

The Hawks didn't have to kill any penalties in last Friday's win over Detroit, and they were short-handed just once against Los Angeles on Sunday.

Nashville got two power plays in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Hawks and cashed in once.

The Hawks are playing with more discipline than they have all season.

“If you keep your stick on the ice and you move your feet and play hard in the puck area, there's no sense in taking penalties,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “It's something we talk about. The guys have been very smart about how they play the game and how it's being officiated. We want to make sure that's something we concentrate on even more.”

Goalie Corey Crawford's job is made easier when the Hawks stay out of the penalty box.

“It's a huge difference,” Crawford said. “It tires guys out, too, when you're killing penalties all game. Then you don't have as much energy to go on the attack. When we're not killing penalties, with the skill we have we can go out and get some goals.

“We've been really disciplined of late and we're not turning pucks over. Those things make a big difference. It's those lazy penalties that were not taking.”

Cool Corey:

Corey Crawford is concerned only with Sunday's game against Columbus and not with the fact he is 10-1-1 in his last 12 starts.

“You feel good about it for a little bit and then it's on to the next one,” Crawford said.

Crawford's play is the chief reason why the Hawks have turned up their game a notch over the last several weeks.

“I think he has progressed real well,” Joel Quenneville said. “He anticipates well and I think he's a little more comfortable with his surroundings, and when I say that, his defense in front of him.

“He's a good student of the game as well. I think as he's coming along here he's absorbing some things and been consistent as well.”

Minute man:

The Hawks have won three games in a row with defenseman Brian Campbell playing more minutes than even Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

The fact the Hawks have been short-handed only three times in the three games allowed Joel Quenneville to keep Keith and Seabrook off the ice and fresh.

But Campbell is certainly at the top of his game right now.

“I think Soupy can handle ice time and I think he's been a big factor in our team game,” Quenneville said.

“When the defense are active and are joining and supporting, it seems we either lead with the puck and have more options with the puck. It really helps us up the ice and we have more options in the offensive zone.”