Whatever Hawks need, Wisniewski up to task

With his gap-toothed smile and ever loose demeanor, James Wisniewski stands out from many of his more soft-spoken teammates in the Blackhawks' dressing room.

But get this 24-year-old defenseman known as "Wiz" out on the ice, and he's all business. And this season business has been real good for the native of Canton, Mich.

Whether it has been breaking in a new defensive partner, mixing it up with opponents, blocking shots or getting involved on the offensive end, Wisniewski has been up to the task.

"Here's a kid who's a character; he's feisty," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "He's been a lead player for a long time. He's played great this year.

"He kills penalties, he's on the power play here and there. His 5-on-5 play has been good. He's gritty. He'll go to work for anybody with anybody."

In Sunday's must-win 4-3 victory over St. Louis, Wisniewski stepped out of the shadows by scoring the tying goal in the final minute of regulation to send the game to overtime and keep alive the Hawks' playoff hopes.

Has he ever scored a bigger goal?

"I don't think so," Wisniewski said. "That put us right in the race. It was a good goal, a big goal for the team."

In addition to the goal, Wisniewski also had an assist and was plus-4 against the Blues. For the season, he has 7 goals, 25 points and is plus-12 in 62 games.

Pretty good numbers, especially for a guy a year removed from a torn ACL. But it doesn't erase the fact that when many talk about Hawks defensemen, the first names to roll off their tongues are Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith.

Some just assume Wisniewski is a seasoned veteran, even though this is just his second full NHL season.

"That's fine, I understand," Wisniewski said. "They're top draft picks. As long as the right people know (about me), that's fine.

"Me, I just try to do my job, keep playing well and do whatever it takes to make the team win."

For a team without an established enforcer, "whatever it takes" includes mixing it up a bit, and Wisniewski has responded. He is second to Adam Burish with 98 penalty minutes. All just part of the job for Wiz.

"I try to play an all-around game, hit, if I have to fight, fight, score goals, make plays -- make things happen," he said.

The Hawks will need to make a lot of things happen over their final six games if they are to claw their way into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"We always felt we had a shot," he said. "It's more realistic now. I think it's just whoever wants it more."

Tonight's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, 6 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: This is it. The final six games of the season for the Hawks and every one is a must-win. Two of the teams they're chasing -- Edmonton and Colorado -- didn't do the Hawks any favors by winning Monday night. Columbus, meanwhile, has all but fallen out of the playoff hunt.

Player to watch: Nikolai Khabibulin. Since returning from injury, the veteran goalie has won two of three starts, including a shutout against Washington. His lone blemish was a shootout loss to Nashville.

Next: Blackhawks vs. St. Louis at the Scottrade Center, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

-- Mike Spellman