Zack Smith finally finds place in Blackhawks’ nightly lineup

LAS VEGAS — Zack Smith was all over the ice Wednesday against the Golden Knights.

He tallied two assists — his first two points on the Blackhawks — and drew a penalty shot. He was extremely noticeable, in a positive way, on every shift.

It was his fourth straight game without being scratched, his most consistent stint since the first four games of the season. And he’s played more than 11 minutes in three of those four games, something he’d only done once earlier this year.

All of that shows that the gritty 31-year-old veteran is finally finding his place on the Hawks, and he couldn’t be more relieved.

“Between me and the coaching staff, we were trying to figure out where I fit,” he said Wednesday. “I feel a lot more comfortable the last few games, getting more ice time and playing some different situations. I’m getting some confidence and playing a lot better. I wasn’t very happy with how my camp went, so to make little strides every game is what I’m focusing on.”

Smith had previously played all 11 of his NHL seasons in Ottawa and was a somewhat substantial contributor there, scoring 25 goals as recently as 2015-16 and setting a career high with 19 assists last season.

So the fact he’d yet to tally a point in 10 games before Wednesday was surprising, even though his legs are slowing down. But Smith said that’s not what the Hawks are asking from him.

“They weren’t bringing me in to score goals — they’ve got a lot of guys to do that, it’s not an issue here,” he said. “But the defensive part of the game for sure is what I need to bring every night, and to be consistent doing it. That’s where I fit in.”

Colliton has regularly deployed Smith in difficult situations in the defensive zone, and he’s done an excellent job keeping opponents to the perimeter. Only 40.4 percent of opponent shot attempts have turned into scoring chances when Smith is on the ice, the best rate on the team.

And after Wednesday’s breakout, there’s a good chance more offense will soon come, too.

“Very, very happy with how he’s played,” Colliton said. “He’s a professional with his approach to the game. He finds a way to win puck battles and advance it and goes to the net, and he’s really helping his linemates right now. And that really helps the depth of our team.”

Murphy likely to return Saturday

The Hawks could get a huge boost Saturday against the Predators if Connor Murphy returns from his groin injury.

Murphy will be eligible to be activated from his stint on long-term injured reserve, and Colliton said Wednesday that the chances of that happening “look good.” He’s been practicing fully for the past week and is traveling on this two-game trip.

The 26-year-old defenseman was playing arguably the best hockey of his career, forming one-half of a stellar top pair with Duncan Keith, before the injury cost him the Hawks’ last 11 games.

He was beaming after practice Tuesday while talking about his long-awaited — and now imminent — return.

“Any time you get hurt and you have to miss any games at all, it’s hard,” he said. “Especially when you want to have a strong start to the year...and roll for a whole season. But it’s in the past.”