Quenneville: Fancy style hurting Hawks
A big part of the Blackhawks' identity last season on their way to winning the Stanley Cup was how they made life miserable for goaltenders around the net.
So far this season there has been limited traffic in front and too few second chances, which is why the Hawks are struggling to score more games than not.
“That's probably one reoccurring thing we've been saying: Pretty play gets you in trouble, whether killing plays in the offensive slot or trying to make the perfect pass,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “When we just get pucks to the net, traffic at the net, we get a lot of momentum off that. That's what made us effective. Cute plays, pretty plays, either kill plays or you're going to be defending off it.
“We have been guilty of being either too fancy or too cute. Work first, skill second. We're getting there.”
The Hawks have scored just 7 goals in their last four losses.
“I think a lot of it is maybe not getting those bounces where sometimes if you get a lucky goal here and there you kind of keep that confidence and you're exciting to go out there on your next shift and confident things are going to go your way,” Jonathan Toews said.
“Time and again when things don't go your way it's frustrating.”
Welcome addition:
Everything is set for center Dave Bolland to return from his upper body injury Saturday at Nashville. Bolland has missed the last six games.
“It's good to have everything back to normal,” Bolland said. “It's still a little sore, but I feel good.”
Bolland will center a line for Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane.
With Bolland returning the Hawks will have a full lineup for the first time all season.
Not getting the point:
Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson has played in 16 games and still doesn't have a single point while being a minus-8.
“I thought he played his best game (Wednesday) night,” Joel Quenneville said. “He's trending in a positive direction. I measure his play first and foremost on his defense. He can defend extremely well with how he's containing our zone. Off that if he gets points, that's the bonus, but last night was a great trend as far as defending first.”
Take a meeting:
The coaching staff conducted individual meetings with the players on Thursday, but the timing had nothing to do with the Hawks' 8-9-1 record.
The quarterly meetings had been scheduled well in advance.
“They've been healthy and productive conversations with the guys,” Joel Quenneville said. “Coming out of (Wednesday) night's game, there was a lot of frustration, disappointment, but lot of positives in our team game that we can build upon.”