Oduya back Wednesday; Kane, Toews 'doing fine,' coach says

Slowly but surely, the Blackhawks' walking wounded are working their way back.

Defenseman Johnny Oduya was back practicing Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Blackhawks host the Canadiens.

Oduya, who has 3 goals, 12 assists and a plus-9 rating in 74 games this season, had missed three consecutive games with a lower body injury

And as for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews? Well, the news continues to be encouraging.

"Everything's all good. Kaner and Johnny are doing fine," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Kaner could be skating (at practice) as soon as tomorrow. With Johnny, we're not in a hurry, but we expect him to skate this week."

In other news, rookie Teuvo Teravainen was given a "not likely" by Quenneville when asked if he'd be in the lineup Wednesday

In praise of Sharp:

With 5 points in his last five games - including his team-leading 33rd goal on Sunday - Patrick Sharp has been bringing it all season.

But it hasn't been just the veteran forward's production on the ice that has impressed his coach.

"On both sides of the puck he's been better and more consistent," Joel Quenneville said. "In Kaner and Johnny's absence he's been good and that line has been effective.

"He's had a good approach to the season and he's stepped up in the leadership role with those guys gone."

Late game heroics:

OK, Ben Smith, what's with scoring goals with under 4 seconds remaining in each of your last two games?

"I don't know … luck?" Smith said with a smile. "It's fun. It's nice to be out on the ice at the end of games - to get that opportunity and responsibility."

Programming notes

The Blackhawks will hold another edition of "Morning Skate Live" at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Center before hosting the Montreal Canadiens at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday's game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and can be heard on 87.7FM The Game.

He said it:

"You see a guy like that make the most of his opportunity, and it forces everybody to pick up their game, too."

- Patrick Sharp on the play of rookie Jeremy Morin