Dec. 12--As the most vocal of the team's leaders, Brent Seabrook doesn't hesitate to raise his voice in the Blackhawks dressing room when it's needed. But it was when fellow defenseman Duncan Keith was injured earlier this season that Seabrook displayed the true level of his leadership and raised his game on the ice.
"When 'Duncs' was out it was definitely all hands on deck and everybody was trying to do a little more," Seabrook said before the Hawks' 2-0 victory against the Jets on Friday night at the United Center.
Seabrook, who was named an alternate captain before the season, did a lot more and has continued playing at a high level with Keith back from his knee surgery that cost the two-time Norris Trophy winner 10 games in October and November.
With five goals and 15 assists, Seabrook has been particularly dangerous offensively and was on pace to surpass career highs of nine goals (set three times) and 39 assists (2010-11 season).
"Things are just coming together," Seabrook said. "I've always tried to get up in the play and use my shot to my advantage, try to get it through, make plays and give the puck to the guys who can put it in the net."
At 30, Seabrook has reached another level in his game but still sees room for improvement.
"I'm just playing hockey," he said. "I feel like I've been playing well and I feel like I can play better. I'm just focused on doing my job by trying to keep the puck out of our net and contributing offensively as much as I can."
Dano down: The Hawks reassigned Marko Dano to Rockford on Friday. The winger had one goal and one assist in 13 games while averaging 9 minutes, 41 seconds.
"We want him playing," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He wasn't playing enough minutes. Part of his improvement (is) getting neater with the puck and (having) more consistency."
In and out: Trevor Daley was in the lineup after missing two games with a neck injury. To make room on the blue line, Michal Rozsival was a healthy scratch. Winger Brandon Mashinter drew into the lineup with Ryan Garbutt scratched.
