Hawks’ Carcillo must do the dirty work

Daniel Carcillo’s worth to the Blackhawks is not measured in goals and assists.

So when Carcillo went back into the lineup Tuesday against Phoenix after being a healthy scratch at Los Angeles last weekend he knew what was expected of him.

“I haven’t been playing as well as I’d like to,” Carcillo said. “Obviously sitting out last game I wasn’t very happy about it.

“For me to be effective, I have to play the same way every night and I got a little away from that. The biggest thing is being on the forecheck, being on the body and getting under people’s skin. That comes with skating and working hard, getting those guys (Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa) the pucks and finishing my checks.”

Coach Joel Quenneville wants to see Carcillo provide the kind of energy that makes him the kind of player the Hawks need.

“We want him to play hard, be physical, go to the front of the net, finish your checks, simple plays, be hard to play against — that’s what we’re looking for,” Quenneville said. “There is some offense to his game that we like as well, but I think he brings those other components that make him him.”

Carcillo started Tuesday’s game back on the second line with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa.

“I don’t measure his game by offensive production,” Quenneville said. “We want that line to be intense and have some offensive zone time. He brings that type of intensity and element to our team game, and it’s noticeable when it’s there.”

Vote of confidence:

Having played for Dale Hunter with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, Patrick Kane thinks Alex Ovechkin will get along just fine with the new Washington Capitals coach.

Many believe it was Ovechkin’s souring relationship with Bruce Boudreau that forced Monday’s coaching change.

“I know he loved his top players, played them a lot of minutes,” Kane said. “For me, personally, it was awesome to play for him. It was a blast. He played his guys and it was great. I can see Ovechkin playing 25 minutes for him, to be honest with you.

“It’s great to see him get this opportunity.”

Wild West again:

The playoff race in the Western Conference figures to be every bit as scrambled as last season, when it took the Hawks until the final day to qualify.

The Hawks were first in the West prior to Tuesday’s games, but only 5 points separated them from 12th-place Colorado.

“You say we’re at the top, but there are so many teams all within 1 or 2 or 3 points, and we have a game or two at hand on some teams,” Joel Quenneville said. “It’s really tight. Everybody has had their good stretches and everybody has had some ordinary stretches. It’s already looking like it will be a great race.”

Music man:

Daniel Carcillo will show off his knowledge and love of music in a new one-hour WGN Radio show, it was announced Tuesday.

“The Bomb Shelter,” featuring Carcillo, will debut on Friday at 11 p.m., following the Hawks’ game against the New York Islanders.

Carcillo will have guests, play and talk music. Dates for future shows will be announced later.