Hawks' Stalberg gaining confidence on first line

Opportunity is knocking loudly for Viktor Stalberg.

With Patrick Sharp sidelined by a left knee problem, it's Stalberg who is getting the plum assignment of replacing the injured star on the Blackhawks' top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Stalberg looked as if he was serious about staying there in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Florida, scoring a goal and going hard to the net in one of his more impressive performance of what has been an up-and-down season for him.

“We worked pretty well together, I thought,” Stalberg said. “Sharpie brings obviously scoring and great abilities, but I have to bring what I can and play a simple game and go hard to the net and try to create more space for them.

“They're probably one of the best tandems in the league and anytime you get a chance to be on the ice with them you feel pretty fortunate.”

Stalberg played with Toews and Kane earlier in the season but his game wasn't consistent enough. He has bounced around from one line to another this season, of late showing more confidence playing on what was a very good fourth line with Ryan Johnson and Tomas Kopecky.

Playing with Toews and Kane is where anyone would want to be.

“Earlier in the year, I didn't know both guys as well I do now,” Stalberg said. “I feel more comfortable and maybe not as nervous when I'm out there.

“If they were telling me something at the beginning of the year, I'd probably get down a little but on myself. Now I know who they are and found ways not to care of they get down on me too much, but they're good guys and obviously great hockey players. It's fun being out there with them.”

The Hawks have seen a better Stalberg all the way around since the all-star break.

“The biggest thing he brings is he has a lot of size and great speed,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “Watching him play during the course of the year he's certainly improved his game. He really backs guys off and that can open up space for some of the other guys.

“He's improved his game if you look back to where he was in October. He's playing with more confidence now and he's contributing. We need guys to step up and this is a good opportunity for him to do that.”

Stalberg was the key piece Bowman got back from Toronto in last summer's that sent Kris Versteeg to the Maple Leafs. Stalberg had an unimpressive training camp and scuffled through the first three quarters of the season.

“It took a while,” Stalberg said. “Training camp didn't go the way I planned and I was kind of behind the eight ball starting off the season.

“I had a pretty good stretch before Christmas and then a little up and down in the spring. I felt after the all-star break, I felt more comfortable out there in making straight-ahead plays and being better in all three zones.”

Getting to play with Toews and Kane has been a vote of confidence from coach Joel Quenneville for Stalberg.

“He's picked up his game and been more efficient around the puck and without it,” Quenneville said. “He can do a lot of things for that line and fill a much-needed void.”