Blackhawks figure out how to score early to beat Florida

Nick Foligno's been in the NHL a long time.

He's seen a lot of great teams, mediocre teams and terrible teams.

So after any game - even one like Saturday's at the United Center in which the Blackhawks defeated the powerful Florida Panthers 5-2 - Foligno can point to ways in which his new squad can improve.

In this case it was great that the Hawks scored on the power play for just the fourth time this season to take an early 1-0 lead. And, yes, it was fantastic that they added on with 2 more goals before the first period was over.

And, wow, what a shot by Connor Bedard that made it 4-0 just 5½ minutes into the second period.

Impressive stuff.

But Foligno wanted more.

Keep the pedal down. Dominate and suck the life out of your opponent. Don't wonder when a push is coming.

And come it did as the Panthers scored a pair of third-period goals and nearly made it 4-3 when the puck slid just wide of Petr Mrazek with a minute remaining.

"Instead of waiting for a push, you just keep pushing," said Foligno, who opened the scoring at 6:25 of the first period with his second goal of the season. "I know it's a stupid phrase, but it's true. It's almost like, 'OK, how are they going to react? Are they going to make their push?'

"It's like, no. Just keep going. Smother, smother. Kind of like Arizona did to us. You smell blood, just keep going."

Look, maybe we're nitpicking here. After all, the Hawks just defeated a Florida squad that played in the Stanley Cup Final last year.

But Foligno truly believes the Hawks (4-6-0) are better than what they've shown thus far.

"We came in waves that first period," Foligno said. "We're a good team - I hope the guys understand that. That's the message for everybody - there's a right way this team has to play.

"When we got to it we're a dangerous team."

Nikita Zaitsev and Taylor Hall followed Foligno's tally with a pair of quick scores to make it 3-0. Zaitsev's was just his 21st in 447 games while Hall now has his first with the Hawks. The veteran forward returned after missing three games with a shoulder injury.

Bedard now has 5 goals, with 4 coming in the last five contests.

Others had strong games as well, with Philipp Kurashev notching an empty-net goal and 2 assists; Lukas Reichel finally flashing his trademark speed and stickhandling ability; Corey Perry nearly coming to blows with Florida netminder Anthony Stolarz; Jarred Tinordi blocking 8 shots and doling out 4 hits; and Mrazek turning away 38 shots.

It's the kind of team effort the Hawks showed in Vegas during a 4-3 victory last week.

Now can they finally use this momentum and beat New Jersey at the UC on Sunday?

"We've done a good job on the lows to keep them short, but I'd like to see us extend the highs," coach Luke Richardson said. "That's where we've got to grow and (show) maturity in our team.

"And not just young guys - all of us together as a group. To be consistent in this league is hard and you've got to push through that and find it somehow.

"You've got to find that."

Rocky tribute:

The Blackhawks on Saturday announced a new promotion to honor Rocky Wirtz. The team unveiled a bronze seat in section 119 where the late Chairman used to sit for games. Fans and community members can nominate themselves or someone else who they believe deserves the honor occupying the seat.

Nominations can be submitted through the Hawks' website. Winners will be able to bring three guests to a game, have their story shared in the arena and enjoy a pregame dinner at Queenie's.