Fewer Hawks penalties big overall boost

The Blackhawks are among the league leaders in fewest penalties taken, and it’s paying off in a number of ways — most notably on the PK unit, which ranks second in the NHL.

“They’re moving well together, they’re not taking a lot of penalties which helps, and they’re fresh,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Right now it’s pretty effective.”

“We’ve tried to stay out of the box, and we’ve been much better than last year in that department,” Marian Hossa said.

And it’s not just the Hawks who are avoiding the box, according to Patrick Kane.

“It seems like a lot teams are becoming more disciplined, whether it’s becoming more accustomed to the rules or what,” he said.

“Yeah, we’ve been really good as far as not taking penalties and at the same time we’re only getting two, three, four — at the most — power plays per game.

“It just seems like the league is more disciplined overall.”

Goalie Corey Crawford has noticed the difference that fewer penalties makes for his teammates.

“It’s a huge difference when you’re not killing penalties as much,” Crawford said. “It saves their legs, too; guys don’t get as tired. Killing 6, 7 penalties a game, it wears on you. Now we’re fresher on offense, too.”

Less is more:Defenseman Duncan Keith has proved over the years that he has no problem playing at a high level 30 minutes a game.But this year his minutes are down slightly, and coach Joel Quenneville thinks that#146;s a good thing.#147;When his minutes are down I think there#146;s more involvement with him offensively,#148; Quenneville said. #147;I think it will help his game overall.#148;And it#146;s not just Keith who reaps the benefits.#147;I think other defensemen get their games going, get more minutes, and I think it helps everybody#146;s play when we do that,#148; Quenneville said. #147;The long-term wear and tear for a season #8212; even though he can handle 30 minutes a game like nothing #8212; but at the same time with everyone participating, we#146;re more balanced.#148;Old buddies:Two of the league#146;s elder statesmen and former teammates will face off Tuesday night when 41-year-old Teemu Selanne and the Ducks take on the Blackhawks and Sean O#146;Donnell at the United Center.#147;Another 40-year old,#148; O#146;Donnell said with a laugh. #147;He doesn#146;t skate like a 40-year-old. My hat#146;s off to him. He#146;s a heck of a guy, and what he#146;s done in his career #8212; he#146;s pretty amazing.#148;