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Blackhawks might try to load up their top power-play unit this season

While the majority of Blackhawks took part in the third period of Monday's scrimmage at MB Ice Arena, another group trekked over to the adjoining rink to work on an area that befuddled coach Joel Quenneville's team last season:

The power play.

The No. 1 squad was made up of Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat, Nick Schmaltz, Patrick Kane and defenseman Duncan Keith, while Chris Kunitz, Dylan Sikura, Brandon Saad, Victor Ejdsell and D-man Erik Gustafsson ran the second unit.

After practicing some new plays outlined by assistant coach Kevin Dineen, the two groups tried them out against two different sets of penalty killers.

It's dangerous to read into much so early in camp, but it appears the Hawks want to load up their top PP unit this year, much like the Rockford IceHogs did during their run to the Calder Cup conference finals last May.

One oddity about Monday's session, though: Artem Anisimov, who led the Hawks with 11 PP goals last season, was not included.

Kane, Toews and Co. were 28th last year on the man advantage with a 16.0-percent conversion rate. Only St. Louis (15.4) and Edmonton (14.8) were worse. The top five teams, meanwhile, made the playoffs.

"It's important that you don't lose the momentum of the game, that you're generating scoring chances and ultimately scoring some big goals," said coach Joel Quenneville. "Last year that was needed and they weren't there at the right times."

Said Keith: "A lot of time power plays is about confidence. It's a major factor. This is a new year. Let's have fun, move it around and makes some plays."

Good start:

Asked who impressed during Monday's scrimmage, coach Joel Quenneville said he's been pleased with Marcus Kruger's line since camp began last Friday. Kruger, whom the Hawks re-acquired from Arizona in July as part of the Marian Hossa deal, is centering the fourth line with John Hayden and Andreas Martinsen on the wings.

"I like the way they play," Quenneville said. "In a short amount of time, they're starting to work with one another as far as their positioning and talking. They all have a different ingredient that they bring, but together that could be a line that could be useful for us."

Slap shots:

Joel Quenneville said Corey Crawford, who once again worked out with goaltending coach Jimmy Waite, is feeling good but there is still no timetable for when he will be able to join his teammates for practice. "I'd be guessing right now," Quenneville said, "but I know that Crow's happy and Jimmy's happy … so let's keep going on this path."… Along with a bunch of young forwards and D-men, goalies Cam Ward and Colin Delia will be at Columbus when the Hawks open the preseason on Tuesday. … Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith have been paired together the last two days of camp. The other top 'D' pairings have been: Brandon Manning-Jan Rutta; Erik Gustafsson-Carl Dahlstrom; Blake Hillman-Henri Jokiharju.

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