Dec. 11--BOSTON -- The defensemen credit the forwards. The forwards credit the defensemen. Everyone credits the goaltenders.
When it comes to the number of goals the Blackhawks have allowed this season, they're all correct as it has been a strong effort across the board. The Hawks are tied with the Predators for allowing the fewest goals per game in the NHL at 1.96, including a total of 11 during their current seven-game winning streak.
"It's a display of a team game, really," defenseman Johnny Oduya said. "It takes a commitment. We have the puck a lot and it's tough for the other team to score when you have the puck. There might be a breakaway or something and they come back at you (but our) goalies have been terrific, stopping a lot of those breakaways or two-on-ones or even three-on-twos.
"There is no hesitation in our team game and there's a lot of speed and commitment from our forwards coming back. For us 'D,' that's a lot easier if you have the support all over the ice and you play as a five-man unit."
With the offense rolling four lines and a commitment to strong play at both ends of the ice, the Hawks top the NHL with a plus-33 goal differential -- 88-55 -- far out-pacing the Lightning and Penguins who are next at plus-24.
"Any time you have that low of goals-against, it's a team game," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "It's the forwards coming back and being smart with the puck when they're on offense and always having good back pressure. If they don't have that back pressure, it's a lot tougher on the defense."
Added winger Marian Hossa: "Our goalies, first of all, have been playing extremely well. But (forwards) also have been helping the 'D' and they're helping the goalies. The whole package is working."
Defensemen utilizing quick passes out of the Hawks' own zone and having good gaps (playing up close -- but not too close so opponents can skate around them) has been the formula for success from the back end. Combined with strong back-checking from forwards and exceptional goaltending from the trio of Corey Crawford, Antti Raanta and Scott Darling and the Hawks have shut down some of the NHL's top offenses.
Hawks goalies have a combined .931 save percentage, second only to the Kings netminders (.932). Throw in a penalty kill that ranks first at an outstanding 91.2 percent kill rate and even coach Joel Quenneville can find few faults during the stretch of 12 victories in the last 14 games.
"The consistency of our goaltending has been excellent," Quenneville said. "Our penalty killing helps that. Our defense has been predictable as well. Our team game has really improved, (including offensively) having the puck more than them. Our gap defensively has been in place ... but probably first and foremost (it has been) our goaltender and our penalty killing."
For their part, the goalies have pinpointed defensemen for blocking shooting lanes and helping clear the slot of rebounds. While the rewards have been victories and a climb to the top of the Central Division standings, that kind of commitment in front could pay off in other ways.
"I owe (Brent Seabrook) lots of beers or something after this season," Raanta said. "He has saved me lots of times."
ckuc@tribpub.com
Twitter @ChrisKuc
