For as much hockey as the core Blackhawks have played in recent years, a six-day break in between games in February is as welcome as the unseasonably warm weather in Chicago this weekend.
But the timing of the break was not the most fortunate for the Hawks, who were playing some of their best hockey of the season.
The Hawks had won five consecutive games, a streak they will try to continue Saturday night against the Oilers at the United Center. But win or lose, they want to replicate what has made them so successful so far this month.
Goaltender Corey Crawford and winger Marian Hossa both said the Hawks have been playing a tighter defensive game. That helped the Hawks come away with impressive road victories over the Jets and Oilers, two teams that smacked them around in their buildings earlier in the season.
Hossa said the Hawks have developed greater will to play a sound defensive game.
"We know there are lots of guys who can score goals and create something in this lineup, whether it’s first or fourth line, but we had trouble in the defensive game," Hossa said. "We have played tighter and that’s a big improvement."
Photos of Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.
To defenseman Brian Campbell, one player has made a big difference up and down the Hawks’ lineup — Nick Schmaltz. The rookie forward came back an improved player when he was recalled from Rockford last month and has three goals and three assists in his last 12 games. His efforts earned him a role on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik.
"He has filled a spot now," Campbell said. "You have to give that kid some credit. He has worked hard and we all like him a lot in this room away from the rink. He has played some good hockey. We need that from him. It’s almost like adding a player with the way he has played. It allows us to have more depth."
Campbell said Schmaltz, who turns 21 Thursday, has been impressive playing without the puck.
"He now knows what it takes to play in this league and how hard you have to work," Campbell said. "You can watch him backcheck. He’s almost turning into a mini-Hossa out there, the way he’s coming back and stripping pucks, taking pucks away from guys."
Schmaltz said you "can’t compare anything to Hossa" but he is trying to apply incorporate some elements of Hossa’s game into his own.
"He’s unbelievable at coming back, picking guys’ sticks and going the other way," Schmaltz said. "I just try to take that from his game, work hard without the puck. We can transition that into offensive rush chances."
Schmaltz’s play has had reverberations throughout the lineup. It has allowed for more consistency in the Hawks’ four lines than at any point in the season, coach Joel Quenneville said.
"The consistency of our team game is definitely the best it has been all year, so that has been a good sign," Quenneville said. "I like the balance and there’s another level that we (can be) at our best, night in and night out."
The Hawks will see Saturday if they can pick up where they left off.
chine@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChristopherHine
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