Balanced lineup key to Hawks' early success
Things have fallen into place nicely for the Blackhawks.
And not by accident.
Credit coach Joel Quenneville with pushing the right buttons that has resulted in four productive forward lines and three balanced pairings on defense.
It was Quenneville and general manager Stan Bowman who made the decision to move Patrick Kane to center, play him with Marian Hossa, then mix in Daniel Carcillo on the left side.
Quenneville saw that a first line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Andrew Brunette could be highly dangerous while sticking with the successful checking line from the playoffs of Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik and Bryan Bickell.
After much searching, the fourth line of Marcus Kruger, Jamal Mayers and Viktor Stalberg is bringing energy and dependability.
On defense, Quenneville's decision to split up Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook is paying off early. Keith and Nick Leddy, and Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson are sharing big minutes and getting better every game.
“Whether we have more balance,” Quenneville said. “I think Dunc is working well with Nick, and Hammer and Seabs are a dependable pair as well. It gives us more balance in our game and you get a little bit of everything is all the pairings. We seem more predictable in our own end defensively.”
The third defense pair of Sean O'Donnell and Steve Montador brings experience and toughness.
Up front don't expect to see any line juggling by Quenneville with things going so well.
“The four-line rotation is more consistent, it has some pace where we're sustaining some offensive zone time,” Quenneville said. “All lines have a purpose in their role. One is an energy line, you've got a checking line and a couple offensive lines.”
So far, so good:The Hawks are third in the NHL in penalty killing, having allowed just 1 power-play goal in 17 short-handed situations.The trend is positive, but it's only been six games. When will Joel Quenneville be satisfied the improvement is real?#8220;Whether you want to look quarterly or 10-game segments is probably a better stretch,#8221; Quenneville said.#8220;We haven't taken many penalties, which is good, but I like the way the guys are moving together as a group. We're not giving anything up off the rush and clearing it when we can. We're moving and taking away the dangerous opportunities. They're more predictable in how we're moving together.#8221;Tip-ins:Channel 9 will televise the Stan Mikita-Bobby Hull statue ceremony at 7 p.m. ... Marian Hossa got the day off from practice Friday but will play Saturday. ... Corey Crawford starts in goal against the Avalanche after his four-star performance in Thursday's 3-1 win at Colorado.