Duncan Keith could use rest during All-Star break

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Defenseman Duncan Keith has come alive offensively recently, with a goal and three assists in the Hawks’ last five games. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Updated: February 25, 2012 8:11AM

Duncan Keith will take the rest.

Even though he could make a decent case for being an All-Star and participating in the festivities this weekend in Ottawa, five days off undoubtedly will serve Keith well. He knows he has to play like an All-Star after it.

‘‘I’m going to use the break and have a good last 30 or so games after,’’ Keith said. ‘‘I’m going to try to use it to my advantage and hopefully come back with a lot of energy and help the team get some wins.’’

The Hawks have allowed 138 goals in 49 games this season, and their defense in front of goalies Corey Crawford and Ray Emery deserves to be scrutinized. It’s also a reason why general manager Stan Bowman is searching for a blue-liner as the trade deadline nears.

Keith, the Hawks’ No. 1 defenseman, hasn’t escaped criticism, either. He came under fire when he was a minus-8 in losses to the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in November.

But Keith rebounded and is a plus-13 since those outings. And his play with blue-line partner Brent Seabrook has been crucial in the Hawks’ recent 5-1-1 stretch.

‘‘That pair has been real good,’’ coach Joel Quenneville said. ‘‘Their game is exactly where we like it to be. The last stretch has been real good for them.’’

Keith, though, knows things have to get better. The Central Division will be a fight with the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators the rest of the way.

When the Hawks won the Stanley Cup, their defense was their biggest strength. They ran a puck-possession game that resulted in the best shot differential in the league. This season, the Hawks are averaging barely two more shots than they allow.

It has been a learning process this season, with 20-year-old Nick Leddy absorbing a ton of minutes and new additions Steve Montador and Sean O’Donnell taking time to settle in as the third pairing. Keith, Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson probably have been counted on more than the Hawks would have liked.

‘‘I know we have a lot of goals against, and there’s areas where the defense can improve as a whole, myself included,’’ Keith said. ‘‘Those little plays around the net sometimes can be tough. That’s something we always talk about and always work on. I think the defense always looks better when the forwards are back-checking and doing some of the little things, as well.’’

It’s a good sign that Keith is starting to get offensive results, too. He has a goal and three assists in the Hawks’ last five games.

‘‘I’ve felt good in my defensive game for a while now,’’ Keith said. ‘‘I think that my defense has improved from last year. As far as offensively, I’ve been having chances throughout the year. I had some unlucky breaks; I hit posts there for a while. The last few games, it’s kind of gone in. I feel confident with what I can do.’’