Getting points isnt the top priority for defensemen, but any that they can get is certainly a bonus.
And for the Chicago Blackhawks, bonuses abounded on Wednesday night.
Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook each had two assists, as the Blackhawks defensemen were prevalent on the score sheet in their 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. Five of the six Blackhawks defensemen got at least a point on Wednesday, as their shots turned into several goals.
But Keith said it was about the guys in front as much as it was the ones in back.
I think the lanes were there; we got our shots on net and we had traffic in front, he said. It was a good job by the D to get our shots through but we have (Andrew Shaw) in front, (Jonathan) Toews in front battling. That makes a difference. We knew we were playing fine. We just stuck with it.
It was Nick Leddys third consecutive game with an assist. Keith, meanwhile, is now fifth in assists (24) and 10th in points (26) among NHL defensemen.
Be it on the power play or even strength, the defensemen were shooting. And the guys in front were turning them into goals.
NHL
Our D across the board had one of their better games all year, coach Joel Quenneville said. They were very active in the attack: odd-man breaks, support off the attack. Our shots on the power play were better because we were shooting from the point. It was a strong night.