Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
12:54 p.m.
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
In this every-game-is-big time of year, the Chicago Blackhawks have another such contest tonight against the Nashville Predators.
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And if the Blackhawks can take anything into this tilt, its that their last 40 minutes against St. Louis on Monday has to translate into 60 minutes tonight.
Thats the way weve got to play, with that intensity, that emotion, said coach Joel Quenneville, referring to the Blackhawks 5-3 comeback vs. the Blues. We have to build off those last 40 minutes. We need everybody going, whether its blocking shots, going hard in puck area or being tenacious. Those are the things we have to do right to the end here.
The Blackhawks are ninth in the Western Conference, one of three teams with 68 points. Four in front of them have 70, but a victory tonight could put the Blackhawks back in seventh place.
But it wont be easy. The Predators are just as hungry right now, and they play a stifling brand of hockey that the Blackhawks will have to try and break through. Chicago is 2-1-2 against Nashville this season.
News
We have to show patience; dont show frustration, Quenneville said. We have to play a hard and simple game. We have to rely on your power play to be effective. Its going to be a tight affair and we have to be willing to play that way.
Briefly
Nick Boynton did not skate on Thursday morning. Quenneville said he has an upper body injury.
Defenseman Nick Leddy was recalled from Rockford on Thursday morning.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.