What makes Chicago Blackhawks' top line so effective?
Jonathan Toews, Richard Panik and Nick Schmaltz skated on the top line together for the ninth straight time during the Blackhawks' 6-3 victory over Arizona at the United Center on Thursday.
This is the longest consecutive stretch that the same two wingers have stuck with Toews since at least last year, and the results have been dramatic.
Toews, who was visibly frustrated for long stretches and mired in the worst statistical season of his career, has pumped in 6 goals and dished out 10 assists in the last nine games. Only once has he failed to dent the scoresheet.
What's the key to all this success? First off, puck possession.
"We're playing with a ton of confidence because we have the puck a lot," said Toews, who is up to 15 goals and 29 assists on the season. "You're not afraid to make a mistake or give up the puck if you know you're going to get it back right away.
"If you're chasing it around all night and you don't have it, then when you finally get it you put pressure on yourself to make the right plays and not make mistakes."
The second key? The emergence of Schmaltz.
Not only has Schmaltz's confidence with the puck grown by leaps and bounds over the past month, but he's also realizing good things happen when he takes more shots.
The third-period goal he scored against the Wild was the result of a quick shot that stunned Devan Dubnyk after Toews won a faceoff. Schmaltz was surprised as anyone that it went in.
"I actually thought it was in the netting behind the net," said Schamltz, who celebrated his 21st birthday Thursday. "I had no idea where it went. Kind of just saw the ref point 'goal.' … Kind of a lucky shot, but good things happen when you put them to the net."
Schmaltz also scored against the Coyotes, opening the scoring 37 seconds into the game.
Youth gone wild?
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was asked if he's comfortable heading into the playoffs with so many first-year players.
If the Hawks do not change their roster by March 1, five rookies in Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tanner Kero and defenseman Michal Kempny will all be expected to produce while playing significant minutes. Two more rookies currently playing at Rockford in Tyler Motte and D-man Gustav Forsling also could also factor in to the mix.
Quenneville admitted the young guys need to improve, but he also has been happy with their progress.
"Good illustration was Schmaltzy - what a good game in Minnesota," Quenneville said, referring to Schmaltz's 3-point night in a 5-3 victory Tuesday. "That was a big game, and it was a big step forward for him.
"So there's some progression there we still need to take, but, you know, there's nothing wrong with having a young team. There's a lot of enthusiasm there, and that unpredictability can be healthy as well."
Slap shots:
Corey Crawford allowed 3 goals on 10 first-period shots Thursday against the Coyotes, but he stopped the next 27 and improved to 24-13-3. ... Andrew Desjardins, Jordin Tootoo and Vinnie Hinostroza were the Hawks' healthy scratches. … The Blackhawks signed 31-year-old goalie Jeff Glass to a two-year contract that runs through the 2017-18 season. Glass has played 10 games with the IceHogs this season. He was drafted in the third round by Ottawa in 2004 but has never appeared in an NHL game. … The IceHogs won back-to-back games in Manitoba on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning they have won seven of eight.