Big night for the Hawks
SAN JOSE, Calif. - It's a big game tonight for the Blackhawks in more ways than one.
Marian Hossa makes his debut, the Hawks are looking to make it eight straight wins and the opponent is the San Jose Sharks in a battle of maybe the two best teams in the NHL.
"There's a lot at stake," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said following today’s morning skate. "It's a good test for us. They're really good in this building and we've got some momentum ourselves and have the chance to close the gap on them. There's a lot of incentive for both sides."
The danger is to expect too much from Hossa in his first game since last June's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals for Detroit.
"It's going to be not only a good test for me but for the team," Hossa said.
"We're excited to have him back, but it's his first game and it's going to be a process," teammate Brian Campbell said.
Sharks coach Todd McLellan said the addition of Hossa gives a very good Hawks team one more weapon to worry about.
"In my opinion, when somebody comes back from an injury they're usually really good the first couple nights and then they tail off a bit," McLellan said. "We expect Marian to be a big factor in the game."
Hossa will skate with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but the Sharks have their own star-powered line of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau.
"Will we go head-to-head?" McLellan said. "We may try that at some point or we may go away from it. We'll see how the game goes."
The matchup Quenneville wants is Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith against the Thornton line.
Hawks' forward lines from Wednesday's morning skate:
Kane - Toews - Hossa
Sharp - Versteeg - Byfuglien
Ladd - Madden - Brouwer
Eager - Fraser - Kopecky
Hi
I'm new to these parts a poster, not as a reader.
Or a fan. We all like to give a reference to how long we've been fans. Well, I remember Bobby Hull when he wore number 16 and all his hair. I think my first game was in '58. My memories of the 'Hawks winning the Cup are as grainy as the few film clips that are still around of that season.
I'll just sit back and enjoy watching (WATCHING!) great hockey when I'm not at the UC with my partial season tickets. I'll leave the trades and cap issues to you gms/capologists.
This edition of the Blackhawks has the makings of a Cup winner. Yeah, maybe even as presently constituted.
Go Hawks!
just kidding..welcome to the board!!!
you got me by about 7 years..im jealous..A Stanley Cup is what i want see!
If this were, we would start our normal team, and then sub in Hossa 3/4 through so he can attune to game speed, etc. My hope is he plays about 12 minutes tonight, with Kopecky filling in the odd shifts.
After first saying thanks for health family and friends, a big thanks for Rocky Wirtz.
I remember Denis Savard talking aboot long term injuries. He was saying that the adrenalin goes into crazy pump mode and the player feeds off that the first two games. The player then relaxes after that and then comes down off his 'high' and thats where the slow return of timing/cardio takes place.
Huge test tonight in a building where San Jose rarely loses. Look for Chicago to come out hard and fast in the first 10 minutes.
Why put Hossa on the same line as Toews and Kane? If the reason is a finisher, then that is Hossa. But i thought we need a player that could sit in front of the net if necessary, finish a few checks, and help Toews and Kane in the corners. Bickel showed promise. Brouwer would be the other candidate. Keep Buf far away. I like the Sharp, Versteeg and Hossa combination more. But where does Buf go? I say Buf is trade bait. Remember last year, Sharp played with Eager and Burish, that line combination was dangerous too. Just something to consider. Can sharp go to the checking line? Then we would have Buf, Versteeg and Hossa with Versteeg centering. That is not bad, but not great.
Hossa may start out on with Toews and Kane but that doesn't mean Q will leave him there. He likes to try different combinations depending on situations and match ups so I think we can expect Hossa to play with just about everybody maybe with the exception of the fourth line. I'm looking forward to seeing Hossa on the power play.
No wonder we are one of the best defensive teams...All these 2 way Fwds make us a tough opponent on any given night!!
I especially love the Ladd Madden Brouwer line!!!
we need to be the best defensive team tonight.
Wow, these lines are great. But what do we do when Bolland returns?
Ah, who cares, let's enjoy the team while we can. After years and years of mediocrity I am so thankful for this Blackhawks team at the moment!
These last couple of years have made all of the years of suffering seem worth it. Heck, if we had been winning cups every few years for the last couple of decades -- as we probably should have -- this would seem like old hat. But, we're treated to one of the most exciting times in the franchise's history and we have the experience to know we should really enjoy it. Cheers to all of my fellow Hawks fans and Happy Thanksgiving! Go Hawks!