The Blackhawks are saddled with a six-game losing streak and have six games left in another lost season. Coach Denis Savard, however, won't let them go out with a whimper.
Savard kept his players in front of the video screen for more than an hour Thursday, making them watch their mistakes in a 3-1 loss to Anaheim on Wednesday. Afterward, Savard said he'd ''be shocked'' if the Hawks don't respond positively tonight against Columbus at the United Center.
Intense video scrutiny isn't unusual, but such a session after 76 games of a hopeless season is. Even Tuomo Ruutu, one of Savard's favorite players, wasn't immune from criticism after going without a shot or a hit Wednesday.
''I don't question Ruuty,'' Savard said. ''The kid has a big heart, and I love him like a son. But he's had a few bad games. He hasn't played much in the last couple years, and that might have caught up to him. But he can still finish checks like everybody else.''
The criticism from his coach came on a day when Ruutu was nominated by the Chicago chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the NHL's Bill Masterton Trophy, an award given for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication. Only two Hawks have won it: Pit Martin in 1970 and Bryan Berard in 2004.
Ruutu has endured major knee, shoulder and ankle injuries since joining the Hawks in 2003, but he has stayed healthy enough to play in 65 of the last 66 games.
Thursday's session underscored Savard's growing frustration with his team more than a brief dissatisfaction with any individual's play. The Hawks are 20-28-7 since Savard replaced Trent Yawney on Nov. 27, but they've won only 10 of 29 home games under Savard and have lost the last four. Only the Philadelphia Flyers have fewer home wins than the Hawks' 14.
''We're not physical in our own building,'' Savard said. ''That's why our home record hasn't been any good. Teams coming here are comfortable. We've got to take that out of here.
''The Blackhawks have been known as a physical team for many years -- a gritty team that plays hard. That has to be brought back here, and it will.''
There are only three more home games to restore that feeling this season.
''There might be only 10 or 15 of these guys back here next year,'' Savard said, ''but they've got to know where I'm coming from. I'm working for next year, not just for now. I talked to them about our fans. We've got 12,000 to 13,000 coming to see us every night, and we've got to give something back.''
Savard had planned an on-ice workout until he watched tapes of the Anaheim loss early Thursday morning. Ten players and the assistant coaches went on the ice after the full team had the video session.
''I've done this a lot,'' Savard said. ''I'd stop [the tape], then rewind it, stop it, then rewind it. I'd point out the things that aren't acceptable. That's part of my job. These players have got to be tired of it, but you can't accept this.''
Savard kept his players in front of the video screen for more than an hour Thursday, making them watch their mistakes in a 3-1 loss to Anaheim on Wednesday. Afterward, Savard said he'd ''be shocked'' if the Hawks don't respond positively tonight against Columbus at the United Center.
Intense video scrutiny isn't unusual, but such a session after 76 games of a hopeless season is. Even Tuomo Ruutu, one of Savard's favorite players, wasn't immune from criticism after going without a shot or a hit Wednesday.
''I don't question Ruuty,'' Savard said. ''The kid has a big heart, and I love him like a son. But he's had a few bad games. He hasn't played much in the last couple years, and that might have caught up to him. But he can still finish checks like everybody else.''
The criticism from his coach came on a day when Ruutu was nominated by the Chicago chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the NHL's Bill Masterton Trophy, an award given for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication. Only two Hawks have won it: Pit Martin in 1970 and Bryan Berard in 2004.
Ruutu has endured major knee, shoulder and ankle injuries since joining the Hawks in 2003, but he has stayed healthy enough to play in 65 of the last 66 games.
Thursday's session underscored Savard's growing frustration with his team more than a brief dissatisfaction with any individual's play. The Hawks are 20-28-7 since Savard replaced Trent Yawney on Nov. 27, but they've won only 10 of 29 home games under Savard and have lost the last four. Only the Philadelphia Flyers have fewer home wins than the Hawks' 14.
''We're not physical in our own building,'' Savard said. ''That's why our home record hasn't been any good. Teams coming here are comfortable. We've got to take that out of here.
''The Blackhawks have been known as a physical team for many years -- a gritty team that plays hard. That has to be brought back here, and it will.''
There are only three more home games to restore that feeling this season.
''There might be only 10 or 15 of these guys back here next year,'' Savard said, ''but they've got to know where I'm coming from. I'm working for next year, not just for now. I talked to them about our fans. We've got 12,000 to 13,000 coming to see us every night, and we've got to give something back.''
Savard had planned an on-ice workout until he watched tapes of the Anaheim loss early Thursday morning. Ten players and the assistant coaches went on the ice after the full team had the video session.
''I've done this a lot,'' Savard said. ''I'd stop [the tape], then rewind it, stop it, then rewind it. I'd point out the things that aren't acceptable. That's part of my job. These players have got to be tired of it, but you can't accept this.''
