Hawks’ Sharp credits team for his success
Patrick Sharp is in the midst of his hottest scoring stretch of the season.
Sharp extended his points streak to eight games with a goal and an assist in Friday’s victory over Anaheim.
That’s the longest active streak in the NHL, tying Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos for the longest streak of the season.
Sharp has 10 goals in his last 10 games and is tied with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa for the team lead in scoring with 34 points.
The three Blackhawks stars were tied for seventh place in the league in scoring before Saturday’s games.
“I chalk it up to being on a good team that’s scoring a lot of goals,” said Sharp, who admits it has helped spending all season playing on the wing instead of center.
“I know in October I had to kind of relearn the position again,” Sharp said. “Being in the same spot now it’s starting to come pretty natural. Plus our power play is starting to improve, too.
“Add all those things up and you’ll get some points.”
Fight club:John Scott wasn#146;t kidding Friday when he said he was rusty fighting Anaheim#146;s Sheldon Brookbank, his first bout since February.#147;It#146;s just mental because you#146;re so nervous,#148; Scott said. #147;You#146;re kind of like, holy (bleep), I haven#146;t been in a fight in almost a year. You don#146;t want to go out there and get knocked out in the first fight, but it comes back to you.#148;The 6-foot-8 Scott considers it a compliment to his ability as a fighter that so few players want to tangle with him.#147;It#146;s kind of a compliment,#148; he said. #147;I#146;ve been asking so it just really hasn#146;t happened. I don#146;t know if guys are scared of me or what, but I#146;m not going to get offended by not fighting. I#146;d rather play hockey than fight.#148;Killer improvement:The Hawks haven#146;t allowed a power-play goal in six games, going 18-for-18 in kills.#147;We#146;re not taking a lot of penalties, first of all,#148; coach Joel Quenneville said. #147;We#146;ve had the good rotation with the forward groups.#147;I think they#146;re more aware around the net. Big saves at big times. Pressure has been more of an emphasis, not letting teams set up and get organized. Keeping the heat on is what we#146;re looking for.#148;Another milestone:Last week Marian Hossa scored his 400th goal.Now Joel Quenneville is 1 win away from the 600th of his career.Quenneville is 161-81-32 over parts of four regular seasons with the Hawks. His .645 points percentage is best in franchise history.#147;I#146;ve been in good situations,#148; said Quenneville, who coached previously in St. Louis and Colorado. #147;We#146;ve got a good team with a lot of good things in place, but I#146;m not worried about (600). I#146;m worried about winning the next game.#148;Tip-ins:Ray Emery will make his fifth straight start in goal Sunday against Calgary. #133; Joel Quenneville said Daniel Carcillo is #147;likely out#148; with his upper-body injury. #133; Ben Smith was returned to Rockford on Saturday. #147;We want him playing,#148; Quenneville said. #133; The second installment of Carcillo#146;s radio show, #147;The Bomb Shelter,#148; airs Sunday at 3 p.m. on WGN 720-AM.