ST. LOUIS — Just when it appeared the Blackhawks might disappear from postseason contention, their No. 1 line began scoring at a magical clip.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp have been lethal the last three games, with a combined six goals and nine assists.
“There’s no more time to wait,” said Toews, who has a goal and four assists during the span. “It’s a long season and sometimes as a team you have certain guys pick up the slack. We’re definitely feeling that pressure as a line to go out there and score.”
“It’s a lot of skill on one line and a lot of trying to make plays and trying to set up different chances,” said Kane, who has two goals and three assists the last three contests. “All of us feel we can be better every game, so that’s a good thing too.”
The linemates have been paired together at various times throughout the last four seasons, but Sharp has spent the bulk of the last two campaigns centering other lines.
“We’re three players who like to play the game a similar way — with speed and using our skating ability and hanging on to that puck,” said Sharp, who has three goals and two assists in the last three. “Those two like to have it in the offensive zone. I like to get lost and kind of shoot it and that’s the way we’ve scored a few goals.”
Hurting: Fernando Pisani didn’t make the trip. He was injured Feb. 11 when the Stars’ Mark Fistric crunched the winger into the Hawks’ bench and the veteran’s head snapped back.
“(Pisani’s) status quo,” said Mike Haviland, who is filling in while coach Joel Quenneville recovers at home from a stomach ulcer. “(Pisani’s) day-to-day.”
In touch: Haviland said he talks frequently with Quenneville, including a conversation shortly after the Hawks’ 5-3 victory over the Blues.
“We talk as much as we can,” Haviland said. “He’s been real good and real helpful. He was really happy (Monday), I’ll tell you that.”
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