Chicago Blackhawks: Five Non-Stars To Watch As They Look To Continue Streak

The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to stay hot in the sunshine state with back to back games with Florida and Tampa Bay Tuesday and Wednesday.   The team has won eight in a row and have seen their playoff prospects brighten considerably in the last two weeks.

There's a lot of season to play between now and a potential first round playoff series, though.

The Blackhawks are in a similar position to where Nashville was a few weeks ago.  The Predators are currently 11th in the Western Conference, but like Chicago could ride a few wins quite a ways up the standings.

It's still a log jam, folks.  Seven teams are within five points of the 'Hawks.  The view is better from above, but nothing has been decided yet.  Chicago is still going to have to earn the tough points in these last 16 games.

The Blackhawks top line has been white-hot during the streak, and the stars have come out to shine at an opportune time.  However, holding on to a home ice in the playoffs and making a late charge to grab the Central Division from Detroit (tall order, but why not set the sights high?) is going to take a total team effort.

Here are five players who may not make the national headlines every night but may play a key part in keeping the good times rolling.

1. Chris Campoli

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 02: Chris Campoli #14 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Calgary Flames at the United Center on March 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Flames 6-4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Duncan Keith suffered an injury to a finger on his right hand in Saturday's win in Toronto.  Keith did not skate at practice Monday, but will be putting the injury to the test Tuesday night against the Panthers.

Not much has been said about the extent of the injury, although there are whispers that it could be a fracture.  Keith shoots with his left hand, so the iffy digit may not be as big a problem.  Keith missed most of the third period Saturday, but said he could have played if needed.

It should be apparent on Tuesday night if this is going to limit him on the ice.

Campoli, picked up last week from Ottawa at the trade deadline, has fit in well with the club since joining the 'Hawks March 2nd.  He has two points in three games and is +2 so far with Chicago.  More importantly, he has proved that he can skate big minutes, having played almost 25 minutes in Toronto.

That's good news for the Hawks defense.  If he can pick up the slack until Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson are closer to 100 percent, his pickup may be the key to Chicago's playoff fortunes.

2. Jake Dowell

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 16: Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates up the ice against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on February 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Dowell has taken over third line center duties since Dave Bolland moved up.  The rookie has Troy Brouwer and Michael Frolik as his wings, two guys who can put the puck in the net if they get the chance.

It would be nice if Dowell could get those guys the puck in good spots to score, but the key to this line is to defend.  Dowell, who is +10 overall this season, is winning face-offs at a 47.9 percent clip.  If he can increase his success at the dot, like he did Friday when he went 11 for 12 against Carolina, the third line can continue to factor into Chicago victories.

3. Marty Turco

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Goaltender Marty Turco #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks in goal against the Dallas Stas at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The veteran goal tender has been inactive during the streak, but figures to get a start based on the theory that Corey Crawford will surely be rested for a game before the season ends.

Crawford has played in 11 straight games since Turco lost to Dallas in a shootout February 11.  It looks like coach Joel Quenneville will ride the streak out with his rookie net minder, but it might not be a shock if Turco gets a start Wednesday at Tampa Bay.

How Turco performs in the limited starts he receives could factor into a playoff race that could hinge on a couple of points.  He's certainly well-rested.  Is he ready?

4. Fernando Pisani

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 22: Fernando Pisani #15 of the Chicago Black Hawks battles with Jakub Kindl #4 of the Detroit Red Wings in a game on January 22, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Hawks defeated the Wings 4-1. (Photo by Claus And

Pisani has been MIA since the February 11 game with the Stars, when he had a nasty collision with the boards.

The team has played well in his absence.  Pisani was cleared to play February 25, but has been a healthy scratch over the course of the streak.  Will we see the veteran forward on the ice this season?

Before his injury, Pisani was a key part of the third line with Bolland and Bryan Bickell.  Now Bolland and Bickell are on the second line and Ryan Johnson has stepped up as forth line center.

We'll have to see if Pisani can work his way back into the lineup, or if he will continue to be a healthy scratch.

5. Ryan Johnson

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Ryan Johnson #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck in front of Taylor Pyatt #14 of the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center on February 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shooto

Johnson has become the best bargain on the Blackhawks this season, providing leadership, defense, and much-needed production at the dot in the last two weeks.

The veteran's legs should be fresh due to just 18 games so far since being signed last December, but Johnson has been injury-prone in his last few NHL campaigns.  He's missed time twice since coming to the 'Hawks, but has proved to be a shot in the arm with his play on the fourth line.

The top line will get the headlines, but if Johnson can't stay on the ice, Patrick Sharp will likely move down to center the second line.  The more Johnson contributes, the more likely the Blackhawks keep racking up points.