As John Scott’s minutes grow, so does his mojo

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John Scott has seen his minutes increase and has played in eight consecutive games. “It’s nice to get a regular shift,” he says. | Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Updated: December 26, 2011 9:06AM

ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Scott gets all the attention. The giant-sized enforcer knows he is playing more than he ever has with the Blackhawks.

“Considering what I used to play,” Scott said.

Coach Joel Quenneville said he wanted to give Scott a chance to ­prove that he can handle full-time responsibilities on the blue line and be more than just a fighter. As a
result, he has played in eight consecutive games, including all four so far on the ­circus trip, and has surpassed 11 minutes in five of them.

Before this stretch, Scott was a healthy scratch in 10 of the first 14 games, averaging barely three minutes. Now it’s either Sami Lepisto or Sean O’Donnell who is often the healthy scratch. So this is all new for Scott, especially with the Hawks.

“I think I’ve been doing OK,” said Scott, who is a minus-1 with four shots and four penalty minutes in the last eight games. “I’m not making many mistakes. I’m starting to feel comfortable. My passes have been pretty good, and my defense has been pretty strong.”

The jump in minutes has helped Scott’s confidence, and it’s shows on some shifts. For the most part, he is making simple plays and avoiding bad situations. But he said that “it’s always in the back of the head that you might get sat out.”

Quenneville said Thursday that Scott was “all right” against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

“From seven [minutes] to 12 to 13 or 14, you really notice a difference,” Scott said. “If you play five or six minutes, you’re really only getting three shifts a period. It’s nice to get a regular shift and get in a groove. You play a lot better when you’re in the mojo and flow of the game.”

General manager Stan Bowman has no problem with Scott as the Hawks’ sixth defenseman, especially considering that Scott spent substantial time during the summer working on his skating and
defensive work.

“Joel has been saying awhile, ‘I want to give this guy a chance to see what he can do,’  ” Bowman said. “We’ve always played him in ­limited roles in the past, and [Joel] said, ‘I think he can do more. Let’s give it a shot.’ And a credit to John, he’s played very well. That’s what you hope for. Let’s just hope it continues.”

Last season, Scott saw ample time at forward. Now, that’s not the case. He also knows Quenneville will play the matchups and put him in advantageous positions against third or fourth lines.

“When I played forward, I’d just be looking for hits and fights.
Basically, that’s all I’m doing,” Scott said.

“But when you play defense, you have more responsibilities and playing a steady shift. I’m still looking for fights and I can’t find any, but I have to be more responsible.”

What does it mean to player when a coach shows faith in you?

“It says a lot because it hasn’t happened a lot in my career,” Scott said. “I’m usually kind of the bubble guy, where I’m in and out and I don’t play too many minutes. I’ve been working my [butt] off this year, so it’s nice to get a little ­recognition and confidence instilled in me from Joel. I just don’t want to let him down.”

NOTE: Defenseman Brent Seabrook (leg) sat out practice Thursday in Anaheim, but there is still hope that he will play Friday against the Ducks.

“He’s possible for [Friday],” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I know I said that the last couple of games, but we still keep thinking that hopefully we’ll get him in some time on this trip.”

Dave Bolland also sat out practice, but he will play against the Ducks, Quenneville said. Corey Crawford will get the start in goal.