Banged-up Oduya won't miss any time for Blackhawks

The Blackhawks received some good news on the injury front.

After missing the second half of the third period Tuesday after blocking a shot against Tampa Bay, defenseman Johnny Oduya was back practicing Thursday and will be in the lineup tonight in Detroit,

Meanwhile, Daniel Carcillo (lower body) appears to be ahead of schedule and good to go Sunday.

As for Patrick Sharp (lower body), well, the veteran forward is still on his original timetable of 3-4 weeks.

"We'll leave it the way we had it," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Probably where we're at with that as far as getting close to getting on the ice. But he's making some good progress."

The magician reappears:

All-everything center Pavel Datsyuk, 36, is expected to be in the Detroit lineup Friday against the Hawks after recuperating from a groin injury that had him out of the lineup since Nov. 5.

"They call him the magician with the puck because he really is," Patrick Kane said. "He's so good defensively as far as stripping pucks and he's good along the boards as far as knowing where to put his stick and to pull the puck and to get it out of harm's way and into certain open areas.

"He's an unbelievable talent still at his age; he's still amazing to watch.

"Every time he's on the ice you know he's going to do something special."

Fitting in:

Brad Richards was held off the scoresheet in his first four games with the Hawks, but he has recorded a point in nine of the last 12 games, including a goal in Tuesday's win over Tampa Bay.

"Off the power play it was a big goal for us the other day," Joel Quenneville said. "He's improving his pace to his game probably getting a little bit more familiar with his surrounding and where guys are."

Looking like a second-line center again?

"You guys have got him second lines and third and fourth lines," Quenneville said. "We could debate who is two, three or four in our lineup some nights.

"It doesn't really matter what line he's on. We expect some consistency."

He said it:

"If you can believe it, actually pretty nice. There's obviously some fans you'll see on the glass that are chirping you and whatnot, but it's a good atmosphere for sure."

- Patrick Kane on Red Wings fans at Joe Louis Arena