Hawks look to keep pace in Central race

The Chicago Blackhawks have had a somewhat leisurely pace to the beginning of their 2017-18 campaign. Though the club has played in three back to back matchups, there have also been several gaps between games.

"We knew going into this season we'd have some time early on," says Chicago head coach Gerald Gallant. "I think as a player you'd like to play in as many games as possible to start the year, but any time off during a long season is a good thing."

"You just have to utilize it correctly."

The Blackhawks have played 12 games in 28 days so far, giving them at least one game in hand on all but one Gretzky Conference team (Calgary has also played 12 games). Pittsburgh is the only other EHE club with only 12 games under their belt.

That all changes starting tonight, as the Hawks begin a home-and-home set with the Boston Bruins. Chicago will play seven games over the next 11 days, take a four-day break before a road tilt in Columbus, then come home to United Center for a five-game homestand.

"Everyone plays 82 games, and that's really the most important thing," said defenseman Paul Martin, a 14-year pro in his first season with Chicago. "Every team's schedule has its own quirks, so you just roll with it and stay ready to compete."

An 8-4-0 record, good for second in the Central Division and four points shy of Colorado (with two games in hand), has kept the Blackhawks in contention. The team sits tied for sixth in team goals allowed, first in shots allowed (by 53 shots), fourth in power play percentage, seventh on the penalty kill, and are among the leaders in faceoffs. But Gallant still sees plenty of room for improvement.

"You're never on auto-pilot or 100% satisfied as a coach. I like what we've done to date, but we still have a few areas to clean up a bit. I think we've been disciplined but we've taken a couple of ill-timed penalties, and I'd like to see us get a little more consistent over 60 minutes of play."

"We've let up off the gas in small spots and you can't do that in this league. Teams will take advantage."

The Bruins come into the home-and-home at 9-5-0, just a point behind Montreal in the Atlantic Division. Patrick Kane leads his team with 15 points in 14 games, while goaltender Jake Allen sports a 1.83 goals-against average and has backstopped all nine Boston wins this season.

"(The Bruins) are a tough matchup but it gives us another good test," said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "They are a very deep and quick team with solid defense and a good goalie, so we'll have to be on our game to get four points in these two games."

HAWK NOTES

There has been some slight line shuffling in practice during the past few days. Zach Parise, with four goals and six points in his last five games, has been moved back to the top line with Toews and Jonathan Marchessault. On defense, Derek Forbort has moved into the top pairing with Jake Muzzin, while Brent Seabrook has slid to the second pairing with Justin Faulk...Brian Elliott (7-2-0, 2.32, .909) may get an opportunity to play both ends of a back-to-back situation for the first time this season. In all three situations previous to tonight, Mike Condon (1-2-0, 3.35, .886) has played the second game of a back-to-back. Condon suffered a minor lower-body concern in practice on Tuesday, though will remain on the bench in his backup role...Jacob Josefson, asked about not seeing game action after being a healthy scratch through the first 12 games of the season: "It's not ideal, but you contribute what is asked of you. All you can do is stay ready." Coach Gallant said he'd like to see Josefson in the lineup, but "guys have to play their way on the team, just like they have to play their way off."

Chip Whitley
Blackhawks Beat Reporter