Skille, Bickell fill Hawks' scoring needs

They are not Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, of course, but Bryan Bickell and Jack Skille have done exactly what the Blackhawks needed in the absence of their two offensive stars.

Bickell and Skille have stepped up their games and made a difference over the last few weeks with Kane and Hossa out of the lineup due to injuries.

Bickell's goal in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Nashville was his fourth in five games and sixth in the last eight.

Skille was a finally rewarded for his strong play around the net of late with 2 goals against the Predators.

“They've both had stretches where they've been very good, and they've had stretches where we're looking for more,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think at the end of the day they both have good ability to become not just regular players, but become better than that.

“Getting accustomed to playing this NHL game, where consistency is probably the best measuring stick for progress, I think they've shown that they are capable of grabbing more.”

Bickell has had tough shoes to fill if you consider him to be the replacement for the departed Andrew Ladd.

While Bickell is not yet the leader Ladd was with the Hawks, or is now as captain in Atlanta, his numbers are getting close to comparable with 10 goals and 19 points.

Bickell can't really explain his recent surge in goal scoring other than to credit working harder for chances and simplifying his game.

“Just being simple, that's about it,” Bickell said. “Q is just telling me to keep it simple and just get my shots on net and they've been going in. I can't complain.”

Bickell's wrist shot has developed into one of the best on the team, if not the best.

“I just try to keep it simple and keep it quick,” Bickell said.

No slap shots for the 6-foot-4, 223-pound left winger?

“I don't really pull it out because it takes me a while to wind up and get it off,” Bickell said.

The goals haven't come as easily for Skille, but it's not because he hasn't had the chances.

Skille's 94 shots on goal rank third on the team behind only Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews — impressive for a guy who averages only 11 minutes of ice time per game.

Skille, who had 9 shots last Friday against Detroit and didn't score, has been fighting off the feeling of frustration over not scoring. His goals on Wednesday gave him 6 for the year.

“It's a matter of not getting frustrated,” Skille said. “It's pretty easy to sometimes, but it's more of a battle to make sure you're working hard every day on a consistent basis. When you do that, those shots will go in.

“I've always told myself to shoot. I think it's more of a thing of using your assets out there, and that's my speed and my shot. I'm trying to learn every day how to pick my head up and work on my vision and making sure I try to use my linemates more.”

Skille has endured some ribbing from his teammates for the 4.3 scoring percentage he brought into Wednesday's game.

“It's good to see him get a little confidence going into the break,” Bickell said.