Bolland, Smith to miss Hawks opener

The pest is going to rest … at least for one more night.

Blackhawks center Dave Bolland went from “questionable” to “out” and not even making the trip to Dallas for Friday’s season opener due to a lingering upper body injury.

Bolland, who skated after Wednesday’s practice, was on the ice with his teammates Thursday and said afterward that he “felt good.”

“Being out for a week, you still have those little jitters,” he said. “I’m just catching up to the speed of the boys.

“You always wish you could stay healthy but little things can come out of nowhere. You’re working hard out there on the ice and you’re wishing you could go 82 games with no injuries, but it’s just the way you are — things happen out on the ice.”

Bolland, who underwent back surgery early in 2009-10, is looking to try to get back on ice for Saturday’s home opener against the Stars.

“We’re hoping he can play Saturday,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s preparing like there’s a chance he’s (playing) Saturday.”

Also out for Friday’s opener is forward Ben Smith, who is still feeling the effects of a concussion he suffered last week.

With Smith and Bolland out, the Hawks recalled forward Brandon Pirri, one of the final cuts during training camp.

“You can always do more, but I thought I showed myself well, showed that I can play at this level, so I’m just going to use this opportunity to do it again and show them I can be consistent,” said Pirri, who will center a line with Michael Frolik and Bryan Bickell.

As for the excitement of playing in a season opener?

“Absolutely,” he said. “If I’m lucky enough to play a couple of years in this league, I’ll have the same feeling every game. This is a childhood dream and I’m fortunate to be playing.”

Tan, rested and ready:No one figures to benefit more from the long summer off than Marian Hossa following three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances.But Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews says it#146;s not just Hossa who will benefit.#147;It#146;s huge for anyone,#148; Toews said. #147;To speak for myself, I haven#146;t been this excited to play hockey in a long time, so I can#146;t imagine how he feels.#147;He looks good out there. I think he#146;s ready to play his best hockey.#148; He said it:#147;His approach and his demeanor #8212; you can tell that he wants the net and he wants to get better and he wants to be the best he can be.#148;#8212; Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on goalie Corey Crawford.