Keith to get plenty of work
Blackhawks coach Denis Savard has no intention of reducing defenseman Duncan Keith's workload.
Keith played more than 30 minutes in the Hawks' last three games prior to Wednesday, topping out at 34 minutes, 14 seconds in Tuesday's loss at Montreal when he was one of the best players on the ice.
"It was such a joy to watch Duncan Keith, the way he played," Savard said. "He looked like a real all-star defenseman to me. He looked like a No. 1 defenseman. He's done that the last two weeks since we've been playing him over 30 minutes a game."
Partners Keith and Brent Seabrook have been getting big minutes ever since Brent Sopel and James Wisniewski were lost from the defense with injuries.
"In some ways I like getting the ice time, but it would be nice if we had Sopel and Wisniewski back there because we miss them," Keith said. "It's been a challenge and been a lot of fun, too."
Savard plans to keep giving Keith and Seabrook huge minutes even after Sopel and Wisniewski return.
"They're capable of playing that many minutes and they will no matter who's coming back," Savard said. "They'll continue to play as many minutes. For them, playing those types of minutes in their young career is a process. It takes time, but they'll adjust and they'll get better at it."
Keith went into Wednesday's game against Dallas a team-best plus-14 in 42 games.
Up and down: The Hawks shuffled the lineup on defense Wednesday, sending Danny Richmond to Rockford and recalling Jordan Hendry. The 23-year-old Hendry made his NHL debut against the Stars.
"He's a stay-home defenseman," said Denis Savard. "We'll probably play him between 12 and 16 minutes and he can help us kill penalties. He's played well down there."
Savard is trying to push the right buttons on defense until Brent Sopel and James Wisniewski get healthy.
"When you lose a Sopel and a Wisniewski, it's tough to replace those type of players," Savard said. "Barks (Cam Barker) has played OK. Buff (Dustin Byfuglien) has played OK, too. I expect him to be better defensively. We know his strength is offense, but at the same time with where we're at he needs to bear down defensively."
Tip-ins: Jordan Hendry became the 37th player used by the Hawks this season, which was the most of any team in the NHL. Twelve players have been recalled from Rockford to play in at least one game. … Defenseman Cam Barker and center Martin St. Pierre were voted by fans to be starters in the Jan. 28 American Hockey League All-Star Game. … The reserves for the NHL All-Star Game will be announced today.