Foligno: Getting rid of 'distractions' key to Blackhawks' improved play

Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno believes having the right people in the building is allowing the team to play some of its best hockey of the season.

"There's a cohesiveness with the group. We've gotten rid of some distractions, so to speak, and now there's a group that's trying to get better," Foligno said following the Blackhawks' 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. "Sometimes when you make hard decisions, they end up benefiting the group, and you're seeing that."

The Blackhawks may have lost Monday night, but they held their own against against one of the league's hottest teams. The game was tied entering the third period, and the final shot total was only 21-20 in Colorado's favor.

Chicago is now 3-1-2 since making its most notable deadline deal March 1 - trading Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers for a package including goaltender Spencer Knight.

Jones had expressed a desire to be moved to a contender in February. Days before his departure, he spoke about how the Blackhawks "haven't made any strides to be better."

The Blackhawks' other deadline moves included sending goaltender Petr Mrazek to the Detroit Red Wings and acquiring Shea Weber's contract from Utah.

"Guys are playing together, they're playing for one another, they're playing to grow something here and not worried about what's gone on or what guys are feeling," Foligno said. "Everyone here is pulling on the same rope. We know we've got to pull ourselves out of this, and it's a credit to all the guys that - after a lot of distractions and the deadline - we're seeing a group that has come together here. It's encouraging."

The Blackhawks rank second-last in the NHL standings.