Blackhawks honor Hossa's hardworking nature

October 7, 1984.

Longtime Chicago Cubs fans remember that day all too well. Yes, that's the day the Padres completed a historic comeback and advanced to the World Series by beating the Cubs in a do-or-die Game 5 in San Diego.

On the same day - two thousand miles away from that epic collapse - one of the most hallowed records in sports was broken when Walter Payton became the NFL's all-time leading rusher in a Bears' victory over New Orleans at Soldier Field.

Sadly, because of the timing, Payton's amazing accomplishment went almost unnoticed.

Similar storylines played out on Sunday as the Cubs played Game 5 of the World Series at Wrigley Field and the Blackhawks took on the Kings at the United Center.

While the entire city was focused on the North Siders trying to stay alive against the Indians, the Hawks were paying tribute to one of the most respected, humble, down-to-earth and talented men to lace up a pair of skates: Marian Hossa.

And it's a moment that certainly should be recognized, even if it comes a day late.

Hossa, joined on the ice by his parents, wife and two daughters, was honored for becoming the 44th NHL player to amass 500 goals.

After an impressive two-minute highlight video, the Hawks presented Hossa with a commemorative gold stick, along with a framed print that recounts the 500 goals and the puck used in scoring the historic goal.

"When Marian Hossa arrived in 2009, he immediately became a vital part of the resurgence of the Chicago Blackhawks," said team president and CEO John McDonough. "He brought with him the reputation of being a great teammate, a hardworking two-way player and a prolific goal scorer.

"Three Stanley Cup championships later, we now have a clearer lens on why he is regarded as a superstar and a future Hall of Famer."

There were plenty of lenses and plenty of criticism focused on Hossa much of last season when he scored just 13 goals, but the 37-year-old is enjoying a resurgence early on in this 2016-17 campaign.

Hossa, whose 500th goal came on Oct. 18 in a win over the Flyers at the UC, has at least 1 point in six of his eight games and also has 3 goals.

Currently, coach Joel Quenneville has the veteran skating on the right wing of the second line with Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov. The trio showed off impressive chemistry in the 3-0 win over Los Angeles on Sunday, especially when Hossa found Anisimov for a second-period goal. Hossa later scored into an empty net for his 502nd goal.

"I have a good opportunity right now playing with the two skilled Russian players," Hossa said. "The last two games have been fun."

After practice Monday, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane told reporters what it's like to go up against the 6-foot-1, 207-pound Czech native.

"We all come back for (training) camp and we're doing 3-on-3 drills … and he's out there almost joking around with everyone and laughing, having a good time, where I'm trying to bear down and make a play on him," Kane said. "And he's still stealing the puck from me."

At a practice last week, Seabrook had to square off with Hossa in a 1-on-1 battle drill against the end boards.

"It's like you're going against two guys the way he's able to use his stick," Seabrook said. "You've got to deal with his body and his feet, and you think you're in good position to poke the puck away and he just smacks your stick away."

Just like Payton in 1984, Hossa's career is far from over. But the resume - on and off the playing surfaces - is very similar and set in stone.

Said McDonough: "Every time we cross paths, I ask him to tell his parents that they have raised a wonderful son. We are so proud that he is ours."

Injury update:

Defenseman Gustav Forsling, who has missed three games with an upper-body injury, will likely be back in the lineup Tuesday against Calgary.

Meanwhile, Andrew Desjardins (foot) practiced Monday and looked good. Quenneville hinted that Sunday's home game against Dallas is when Desjardins may likely play for the first time this season.

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames at United Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: After a 1-4-1 start, Calgary has won three of four, including 3-2 over the Blackhawks on Kris Versteeg's goal in the seventh round of a shootout last Monday. ... Flames goalie Brian Elliott had an .839 save percentage in losing his first three starts but has rebounded to go 3-1 with a .941 save percentage in his last four. ... Michael Frolik and Sean Monahan lead Calgary with 4 goals each. Frolik has just 1 goal in the last six games. ... Artem Anisimov is riding a career-best seven-game points streak for the Hawks (6G, 5A). ... Corey Crawford (3-3-1, .919 save percentage) starts in net for the Hawks.

Next: Colorado Avalanche at United Center, 7:30 p.m. Thursday

- John Dietz