Hawks definitely not in panic mode despite slump

The Blackhawks don't look at it like they are running out of time to turn their season back around.

With 15 games to play, the Hawks are only 2 points ahead of Vancouver for fourth place in the Western Conference after losing seven of their last 10.

"We still have some time to pick things up and turn things around," Patrick Kane said. "We have 15 games, which is a lot of time to get ourselves going for the playoffs. It's a pretty tight race right now and we want to get as high as we can."

The Hawks have fallen behind in each of their last five games, which coach Joel Quenneville says can't continue to happen.

"It makes a difference," Quenneville said. "Getting behind by 1 or 2 early, it's tough to come back against most teams."

More attention to defensive zone coverage is right up at the top of Quenneville's list for turning things around.

"Mentally we've got to be as positive as we can and have confidence in tight situations later in games," Quenneville said. "That's how you get out of it."

Good news: Sammy Pahlsson will make his Hawks debut Wednesday at Columbus, and Patrick Sharp's return might not be too far behind.

Pahlsson, acquired from Anaheim at the March 4 trade deadline, hasn't played since Jan. 31 because of a bout with mononucleosis.

"I think he'll bring good emotion and intensity to our team," Joel Quenneville said.

Sharp, sidelined since Feb. 14 with a sprained left knee, practiced Monday but was held out of contact.

"We're close to getting him into contact, which will give us a clear idea when he's able to play, which is not far away," Quenneville said.

Sharp would like to think he could play sooner than later.

"Hopefully by the end of the week I can take part in some of the battle drills and competition drills and we'll go from there," Sharp said.

Tip-ins: Martin Havlat and Dave Bolland were held out of practice again Monday but will play Tuesday night. - Of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur's 551 career victories, 100 have been shutouts and 237 by 1 goal. - Havlat has scored 4 goals against Brodeur in 17 career games. - Jonathan Toews centered a line for Kris Versteeg and Andrew Ladd at Monday's practice.