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Bolland cheers on Hawks from his couch

Dave Bolland watched Sunday’s game against Detroit like most Blackhawks fans did — from his couch.

Bolland admitted he grew a bit nervous in the latter stages when the Hawks trailed 1-0 — but he jumped off his couch when Patrick Kane scored with 2:02 left in regulation to tie it. Kane then scored the lone goal in the shootout to extend the Hawks’ record point streak to start the season to 22 games.

“I watched them on TV keep the streak alive and now I’m coming back to try and help out,” said Bolland, who returned to the lineup Tuesday against Minnesota after missing five games with an upper body injury he said was not a concussion.

“It’s never fun when you’re sitting out games and winning and seeing all the fun that’s going on out on the ice,” Bolland said. “It’s always disappointing watching it on TV. But I’m back and I’m ready.”

Bolland has a history of concussion and back problems but said it was neither — sort of.

“I don’t think it’s anything from my history,” Bolland said coyly. “It’s something else.”

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville was looking forward to plugging Bolland back in at center on the second line with Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.

Marcus Kruger, who filled in for Bolland on the second line, went back to his fourth-line duties.

Heat is on:With the Miami Heat on a 15-game winning streak, Patrick Kane was asked if he had seen the debate between Barry Melrose and Stephen A. Smith on ESPN over which streak was more impressive #151; the Heat#146;s or the Hawks#146; 22-game point streak.Melrose lost the debate.#147;I saw the debate between Melrose and Stephen A. Smith,#148; Kane said. #147;I thought Melrose would kind of get in there a little bit more and battle with him, but Stephen A. is a tough customer. It#146;s cool, though.#147;I#146;m a big fan of LeBron (James) and the Heat even though they#146;re rivals of the Bulls. I#146;ve been a fan of LeBron ever since he#146;s been criticized so heavily and come back to prove all his critics wrong. It#146;s cool to be compared to those guys, but they#146;re obviously in a different league as far as popularity.#148;As for Stephen A. Smith, Kane said he is ready to debate Smith and defend his sport.#147;I#146;ll battle with (Stephen A), maybe not as much as Skip Bayless, but I#146;ll give him my two cents about hockey,#148; Kane said.Hossa honored:The Hawks honored Marian Hossa before Tuesday#146;s game for playing in his 1,000th game at Detroit on Sunday with general manager Stan Bowman presenting him a silver stick and a painting.Each member of the Hawks took the pregame warm-up wearing No. 81 Hossa jerseys, which were to be autographed by Hossa and the player wearing it and auctioned off for charity.Tip-ins:The third line of Andrew Shaw, Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg continued to draw praise from Joel Quenneville.#147;That line has been very dangerous and has had a lot of offensive zone time; they turn pucks over with their quickness and presence,#148; Quenneville said. ,,. Michael Frolik sat out Tuesday#146;s game with flu-like symptoms.Hawks scouting reportBlackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche at the United Center, 7 p.m. WednesdayTV: NBC Sport NetworkRadio: WGN 720-AMThe skinny: This is the first of three meetings with the Avs in the next six games. Colorado played in Detroit on Tuesday night without Steve Downie (knee surgery) and Erik Johnson (head). Ray Emery is expected to start in goal for the Hawks,Season series: First meeting.Next: Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. Friday.— Tim Sassone

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