Shaw’s screens spice up Blackhawks’ power play

Andrew Shaw makes a big difference on the power play with his presence in front of the net.

Shaw is a key reason why the Blackhawks have scored power-play goals in their last seven games.

Shaw was at it again on Wednesday, screening goalie Ray Emery on Duncan Keith’s power-play goal early in the second period. Shaw then added a goal of his own 39 seconds later as the Hawks went on to rout the Flyers 7-2.

“It’s important when you think of all the shots and the way it’s going in is because we have that net front presence,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “It’s a knack of finding that perfect spot where it’s almost like a perfect lane for the screen. He’s still got a quick stick to deflect pucks. He’s not afraid to go there and he’s willing. He does a lot of good things for the power play.”

Quenneville likened being willing to go to the front of the net to blocking shots.

“There’s a willingness to go there,” Quenneville said. “It’s not an easy place to travel. In order to score in this league you have to get to the front of the net. You’ve got to be willing to get there. That tenacity that he brings kind of compliments to be that guy.”

Shaw has been in front of the net screening the goalie ever since he returned from an upper body injury. Patrick Sharp has 4 goals in the last three games.

“He does a good job taking away the goalie’s eyes,” Sharp said.

“I think the thought process on our power play is to shoot the puck and (Sharp) has been leading the charge,” Quenneville said. “The point shot is getting through. I think that shot-first mentality, you get a lot of action off shots. Sharpie has that mentality and we like that.”

Hey, it’s Ray:Ray Emery faced his former teammates in goal for the Flyers on Wednesday.Emery was a big part to the Hawks#146; Stanley Cup run last season.#147;Last year was definitely a memorable year,#148; Emery said. #147;I enjoyed playing in Chicago overall for two seasons. Chicago gave me an opportunity and I#146;m really grateful for that. I got a chance to play some games over the two years I was there and it was a really good experience.#148;Joel Quenneville was expecting Emrey to have the Flyers ready to play.#147;I#146;m sure Ray has them excited about (the) game,#148; Quenneville said. #147;We played for the Cup not too long ago and I think that rivalry is still there even though we haven#146;t seen them in some time.#148;Eight is enough:The Hawks will continue to rotate defensemen Michal Rozsival, Sheldon Brookbank and Michael Kostka on a nightly basis, according to Joel Quenneville.#147;We#146;re in it right now and we#146;ll see how long that goes,#148; Quenneville said. #147;Right now that spot is going to be rotated. It#146;s great depth. We get contributions game in and game out.#148;It was Brookbank#146;s turn to play against the Flyers.#147;The guy that comes in that spot has been very effective for us in that third pairing,#148; Quenneville said. #147;We#146;re getting consistency across the board and our defense has been a big part of our team and our success. It doesn#146;t change much no matter who fills that spot. We look for that guy to come in and make a difference.#148;Kostka returned from missing 24 games with a foot injury on Tuesday at Dallas and had a goal in the 6-2 victory.#147;It#146;s always good to be able to get right back in the action after a little bit of time off there,#148; Kostka said. Tip-ins:Bryan Bickell has showed significant progress from his knee injury and could return to practice on Friday...The Hawks and Bulls renewed the naming agreement with United Airlines for 20 more years.