Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011
4:40 p.m.
By Chris Boden
CSNChicago.com
This isnt like the Blackhawks were coming off summer vacation, whether it started in mid-June or mid-April. They took two of the first three days off this week but wanted to return to practice with a focus and purpose, given the caliber of opponent theyll face upon returning from this five-day break from game action. Its about benefiting from rest, and not being hindered by rust, during a high-paced practice Thursday at Johnnys IceHouse West.
It was great to have a layoff, but we want to be at the level we were at before the layoff, said defenseman Brian Campbell. We want to start right away when the pucks dropped in Detroitnot wait a period, period and a half. Thats the biggest factor for us. We really need to gear up. Tomorrows practice is pretty important that way to get ready for a big, big weekend. Detroit, were pretty familiar with. Phillys obviously got a lot of the same guys back as last year. Its going to be a good test for us since we are probably playing some of our better hockey of the season so far.
READ: Campbell providing calm presence for Blackhawks
We dont want to go into games and get caught up and find the pace is too fast, added head coach Joel Quenneville. We dont want to be absorbing whats coming our way. We want to set the pace and try to dictate as much as we can. The first ten minutes in Detroit is important for us, but we cant anticipate we cancatch up in the middle of games. We want to make sure our minds turn that switch back on and today I thought they did a good job with it.
If its the ultimate rivalry weekend for the Bears and Packers, the Blackhawks wont be far behind, even if not as much is at stake. The Red Wings stir up the passions of Hawks fans six times per season, then here come the Flyers, wholl have something to prove after last spring. And looktheres Chris Pronger, just back from foot surgery five weeks ago. On top of that, the Hawks need to be solid defensively since these are the NHLs two top-scoring teams.
NHL
We know were going to score goals with so much talent up front, according to winger Tomas Kopecky. We just have to play really good defensively against these guys. We cant take any penalties and have to play real disciplined."
The penalty-kill and defending odd-man rushes received their share of attention Thursday morning. After allowing five power play goals in as many chances earlier this month, the Hawks PK went 7-for-7, only to allow Nashville to score twice in its first three power play chances Sunday night. Detroit owns the NHLs fifth-ranked power play entering Thursday.
Then theres the matter of the Central Division race. While the Hawks had their early struggles with cohesion and injuries, the Wings got off to a red-hot start. Now the defending champs are healthy and have been playing better, while Detroits getting banged-up. If these Hawks can elevate another level, is it possible they can chase them down, since they trailed the Wings by just eight points heading into Detroits game in St. Louis Thursday? The final three meetings in the season series will be played over the final two weeks. You can guess how captain Jonathan Toews feels about it.
Its a long year. As long as we keep having success against them (1-1 so far)we havent played them too often yet. We obviously control that, so..its not going to take a miracle to catch them. Weve just got to play well.
READ: Chris Boden takes a look at the Blackhawks farm system
Quenneville wont think that far ahead.
Lets take care of first things first in our goals and ambitions as we progress. An original goal starting the year was wed love to win the division. Thats still in place. But moving ahead, what were looking forward to doing is getting out of that area where every day youre on that (playoff) bubble.
Card Sharkser, Hawks
Campbell said he didnt have an exact number, but he believed Tuesday nights Texas Hold Em celebrity poker event at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond may have raised about double the approximately 100,000 donated in the inaugural event a year ago. He passed along thanks to his teammates, volunteers, and all the Blackhawks fans who came through at the tables and via auctions. Proceeds through the defensemans Campbell for Kids charity are designated for the Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks.
As for the winners and losers that night among the Hawks, Marian Hossa was first to get knocked out, admitting he was surrounded by players who know how to play like pros. I had three 8s and a King and didnt win, so it was a tough one.
Troy Brouwer won for a second straight year, this time over Corey Crawford, who showed up wearing shades, baseball cap pulled down low, and ear buds.
Yeah, I was ready, the goalie confirmed. Got myself mentally prepared. I think I had my best game out there, I just caught some bad luck. I got beat by a pretty good player.
We followed up to make sure he was talking cards, not goaltending.
Briefly
Every player was back at practice, including defenseman Nick Leddy, who was brought back up from Rockford after being sent down earlier in the week.
The pairings and lines looked the same as they did last weekend.
Crawford will start in goal Saturday afternoon, but Quenneville said no decisions been finalized about wholl start in net Sunday afternoon, or Tuesday against Minnesota, prior to the All-Star break.
Just as Bears head coach Lovie Smith reached out to Quenneville last spring to wish him luck and support during the Stanley Cup Finals, Quennevilles returned the favor to Smith this week.
Each locker had a navy blue Bears baseball cap, with an orange B on the front, hanging in it. Most players wore them (Kopeckys worn one just about all season). The biggest surprise: Packers fan Jack Skille wearing his backwards, and fellow Packer-backer Jake Dowell wearing his normally. After taking some good-natured ribbing a couple of days ago, both want to clarify its not about hatred for the Bears, just rooting for the team in the state they grew up in.
Chris Boden is the host of Blackhawks Pre and Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet.