Kane likely to miss game; Hawks need more scoring

For a team that has taken its One Goal slogan literally in the first four games of the season, news that Patrick Kane most likely will miss Friday's game in Columbus is a tough blow.

Kane, who scored his second goal of the season in the first period against Nashville on Wednesday, missed practice Thursday and was termed “doubtful for the game by coach Joel Quenneville.

“Kaner's sick, Quenneville said.

Asked if his star forward was feeling ill during the Nashville game, Quenneville said simply, “maybe afterwards.

So there you have it.

With or without Kane in the lineup, the bottom line is the Blackhawks have to find a way to pick up the pace on offense after scoring just 11 goals in 4 games.

“We haven't been scoring a ton of goals every game, defenseman Duncan Keith said. “It just comes down to keeping it simple; putting the puck on net, getting rebounds, fighting through traffic all those things add up to scoring more goals.

Quenneville admitted the influx of new players on the roster has hindered the offensive flow of the team a bit, but he believes things will smooth out in short order.

“It's a work in progress, Quenneville said. “The last few games we didn't generate a ton offensively. The frustrating part is we didn't give up a lot in those games. We've got to figure out a way to get points in those games.

“There's offense in our group and offense to be spread around. To me, we have to have the puck more and we have to do better at getting it back.

So is it still a chemistry issue?

“It could be, center Dave Bolland said. “It could not be. It is new and there is some learning to get to know the players, your linemates. Once we start playing more and knowing each other more we can start getting the chemistry down.

They believe they're getting close.

“We're right there, losing by one goal in all the losses, said Marty Turco, who will start in goal against Columbus. “We'd just like to put a good, complete game together like we know we can. Just jump-start it a little bit.

After a pair of tough losses at home, it should be a fired-up Hawks team that hits the ice in Columbus.

“Leaving 4 points on the table against division rivals (Detroit and Nashville) is not a good thing to do, Quenneville said. “We're not happy about it.

But to break the mini-skid they'll have to do it without Kane and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who is serving the second game of a two-game suspension.

“We've had a chance to win every single game, so it's not like we're off the map here, Keith said. “Now we have the injuries and suspensions those don't help things but as we go forward here we'll be just fine.

Blackhawks game day

At Columbus Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena, 6 p.m. Friday

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Game notes: After opening their regular season in Stockholm, tonight will be the real home opener for the Jackets and new coach Scott Arniel. “It's their home opener; we expect them to be hungry, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.

Last season: The Hawks won the regular season series 4-2.

Next: Buffalo Sabres at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.