Blackhawks playing with confidence
By TOM MUSICK – tmusick@nwherald.com
|
| The Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (right) scores behind Florida's Tomas Vokoun during their Oct. 2 game in Helsinki, Finland. Kane is the Hawks' leading scorer with three goals. (AP file photo) |
CHICAGO – The “Madhouse on Madison” is much more calm this time around for the Blackhawks.
After starting their regular season in Finland, the Hawks (1-1-1) will return to familiar ice at 7 p.m. today for their home opener against the Colorado Avalanche. Hawks fans will recognize many of the same players from last season’s playoff run, but the intangible effects of that experience might be harder to detect.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence,” Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. “The magnitude of these games compared to how they were in the playoffs, it’s no comparison. So we can just go out there and be comfortable and play and have fun and let the chips fall.”
That confidence level was not apparent early last season, when a rocky start prompted the Hawks to reassign head coach Denis Savard after four games. New coach Joel Quenneville eventually steadied the team, but young players such as Toews and Patrick Kane were shaken by Savard’s quick exit.
This season, players don’t seem overly concerned about a couple of tough losses to Florida and Detroit. The Hawks, who have controlled the puck and led each game in shots on goal, said more wins would follow.
“I think we’re just a little more calm and patient,” said forward Patrick Sharp, who leads the team with three goals. “At this time last year we were, I don’t want to say pushing the panic button, but we were a little frustrated with our start. We were a little antsy to get off to that good start.
“This year, we realize it’s a long season,” Sharp said. “One game early in the year doesn’t really make or break the season. The goal is to continue to get better every week. That’s where the experience comes, and that comes from our head coach. He’s a leader.”
Quenneville has emphasized a no-frills approach to brace for a long season and possible Stanley Cup run. The marketing-savvy Hawks will arrive in limousines as part of a red-carpet parade two hours before today’s game, but expect the glitz and glamour to fade away once the puck drops.
“We’re stressing a lot of simplicity to our game,” Quenneville said. “Just put pucks at the net. Keep it in safe areas. You don’t have to make a pretty play. Keep the puck moving ahead, and we [can] rely on our speed and quickness. It plays to our advantage anyway.”
No worries. The Hawks have had a year to recognize the difference between a hard loss and thin ice.
“You don’t panic as much,” Kane said. “You feel more comfortable out there. ... Last season, we started 1-2-1, and we weren’t playing that great. This season, we’ve been playing pretty good. We’ve just got to find a way to get the results.”
