Blackhawks' defensemen happy to get offensive
They're quick to credit luck, but good fortune isn't the only reason the Blackhawks are getting more offense from the back end of their attack.
The Hawks' defensemen have started looking for more ways to contribute offensively, and it's paying off with big goals. It's also taking pressure off the top forwards while Patrick Kane's fractured collarbone heals.
Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya alone have combined for 2 goals and 5 assists in just the past three games, including momentum-turning goals by Keith and Hjalmarsson in the win Monday over the Los Angeles Kings.
"Especially now, when Kaner's out, we have to find a way to get more guys involved on the scoring sheet," Hjalmarsson said. "It's huge when other guys than just (Hossa) and (Toews) and those guys can chip in and help the team out."
The goals by Keith and Hjalmarsson on Monday paved the way to victory, but Oduya's offensive contributions also were key.
He didn't score, but he logged a team-high 38 shifts alongside Hjalmarsson and finished with a plus-3 rating. He put 2 shots on goal and helped the Hawks keep the puck in the offensive zone several times to create sustained pressure.
"You try to generate chances and join the play and get pucks to the net," Oduya said. "Sometimes you're a little bit luckier. Usually I'm not this lucky."
It's not all luck. Skill plays a role as well.
Oduya is a puck-moving defenseman, and along with Hjalmarsson, Keith and Brent Seabrook, the Hawks' top defenders are all capable of creating offensive opportunities.
Oduya, for instance, has 4 assists and a plus-11 rating in 10 games since returning March 12 from an upper-body injury that sidelined him two weeks. In 60 games before the injury, Oduya only had 2 goals and 3 assists.
Hjalmarsson has a goal and 5 assists over the last 13 games, after logging 2 goals and 10 assists in the season's first 63 games. Keith has 2 goals and 5 assists in the past 10 games.
"We've talked about that before, where you can (take) some of the pressure off the bigger guys who usually do the scoring," Oduya said. "For us, it's just mainly trying to play defense and shut guys down. It's nice to get a bounce here and there."
Deflections off point shots are bonuses, too.
It was Hjalmarsson's slap shot from the point late in the third Sunday that led directly to the win at Winnipeg. Captain Jonathan Toews deflected the puck home for the game-winning goal with 31 seconds left.
"We'll take any offense from anywhere," coach Joel Quenneville said. "I think scoring for us for most of the year has been a bit light, at least for a big stretch here.
"Hopefully, when we get our offense starting from the back end … that's spearheaded a lot of our scoring over the last years. I think we need to incorporate our (defensemen), be it off the rush more and off the points."