Blackhawks' defense fuel for the offense

CALGARY, Alberta - The high-powered Blackhawks offense isn't only about forwards Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, Martin Havlat and Kris Versteeg.

For anyone trying to pinpoint exactly where the Hawks' offense gets its gas, look no further than a defense that is one of the most mobile and active in the NHL.

Hawks defensemen have 75 points, which was the second most in the league from the back end through Wednesday's games. Only the San Jose Sharks had more with 90 points from their defense.

"We've got guys that can get it out of trouble, get it to the forwards, then coming late they're dangerous, too," general manager Dale Tallon said. "That's the kind of defense we wanted to build here."

Brian Campbell has 21 points and is one of three Hawks defensemen in double digits along with Duncan Keith (16) and Cam Barker (15). Brent Seabrook has 9 points, Aaron Johnson 7, and it probably won't be long before James Wisniewski joins the pack.

Wisniewski had 3 assists in Tuesday's 9-2 win at Edmonton in his first game of the season following knee surgery.

"We have a lot of guys on defense that can do a lot of things," Barker said.

Last week it was Ottawa Senators coach Craig Hartsburg saying how his game-planning for the Hawks started with controlling their active defense.

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish on Tuesday spoke of how impressive the Hawks are on the blue line.

"A guy like Duncan Keith is tailor-made to fit today's game," MacTavish said. "He really thinks the game well and is very active back there.

"He and Campbell are a handful how they jump into the play. Barker goes now, too, and Seabrook's got some hop in his game."

How the Hawks' defense plays fits perfectly into the way coach Joel Quenneville wants his offense to attack - with plenty of push from behind.

"I think those three guys (Campbell, Keith and Seabrook) kind of complement today's game with its up-tempo, movement of the puck, quickness on retrievals of pucks and joining the attack," Quenneville said.

"They're all adept at that. They all have quickness, which helps our overall team speed and quickness. They're the type of defensemen that are valuable in today's game."

Quenneville absolutely believes it's the defense that jump-starts the Hawks' offense.

"I think that's where a lot of our offense starts," Quenneville said. "We've got a lot of offense from our back end. They have a lot of speed, they've got maybe a little bit of offensive flare in their game, they can shoot the puck from the point, and that can alleviate pressure, knowing that you have weapons."

The speed Keith has can't be stressed enough when talking about how it seems the Hawks are the ones who control the flow of many games.

"I just think in today's game, that speed he has from the back end, be it off the rush, and his quickness he has on lose pucks, it alleviates a lot of forechecking pressure," Quenneville said. "And he can skate past people in the open ice."

Campbell has been just what the Hawks needed in terms of adding zip and offensive pop to the defense. His presence on the power play is most certainly a factor in the unit's rise to being one of the best in the league.

"It's been a nice fit for him here," Quenneville said. "Being around San Jose, I think he saw the importance of what it means in the playoffs. We're trying to get there, and he can help us get there."

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