Why Hossa's role on Hawks' third line is proving pivotal
Championship teams often need veteran players to swallow their egos and do what's right for the club.
That was the case in 2015 when Patrick Sharp played a third-line role for the Blackhawks during most of the postseason, and since mid-January, it's been the case with Marian Hossa.
The 38-year-old Hossa doesn't bristle often in interviews - even when he was often questioned late last season about his declining numbers - but he did give a blunt response a few weeks ago when asked if he missed playing on the top line with Jonathan Toews.
"That's the wrong question to ask," Hossa said. "At my age, I'm happy the team is winning the hockey games. That's all I worry about."
Hossa's bounce-back year continued Thursday night in a 3-2 shootout victory over Dallas when he scored his 24th goal of the season in the third period to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. Despite playing with the bottom six forwards for most of his last 26 games, Hossa has scored 8 goals and dished out 9 assists.
"You need four lines contributing and if (your) third line is as dangerous as one and two, that's a different level," said coach Joel Quenneville. "Hoss gives us that option of spreading out the scoring."
What's remarkable is the Hawks' record since Hossa was dropped to the third line. In those 26 games, the Hawks are 19-6-1 - good for a .750 winning percentage. Before the move, the Hawks were 27-14-5 (.641).
He missed two games due to injury.
"You always want to play top six, but in my stage as long as the team is winning and you've got another opportunity to achieve something bigger than your stats," Hossa said Thursday. "If you've got 5, 6, 7 or 8 goals more it doesn't matter to me. I don't mind to do it.
"(Some nights I may) have a little less minutes - but some nights I have more minutes. It all depends. I'm OK with it. As long as the team is winning, I try to contribute."
Lovin' it:
When the Blackhawks bring back star players of the past to participate in the One More Shift promotion - as they did with Ed Belfour on Thursday - it's not only a thrill for the fans, but also for Hawks players themselves.
"I remember growing up, Eddie was one of my favorite goalies," said Marian Hossa. "His mask, when I was a little kid, was the best mask in the NHL - the eagle.
"It was just fun to be on the ice at the same time with a legend. It's great what the organization is doing with special players."
Thankful:
Tanner Kero, who didn't make the Blackhawks out of training camp, signed a two-year extension with a reported cap hit of $750,000 on Thursday. Kero has 5 goals and 7 assists in 39 games, and has helped solidify the bottom six forwards by playing third- and fourth-line center.
"It's been awesome," Kero said. "It's a first-class organization, just the way they treat the players. Even down in Rockford, they're really great with helping us develop. I'm excited to continue."
Slap shots:
By scoring a goal Thursday night against Dallas, Patrick Kane now has 50 points against three different teams - Dallas, Nashville and St. Louis. … Artemi Panarin is 4-for-5 in shootouts this season. … Trevor van Riemsdyk established a career high with his 15th point in the Hawks' win over Dallas. He has 11 points in the last 28 games. … Niklas Hjalmarsson established a career high with his 167th blocked shot vs. the Stars.
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers at BB&T Center, 6 p.m. Saturday
TV: WGN
Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Florida is 3-3 in its last six games but had dropped eight of nine before that. The team has three 20-goal scorers, with Jonathan Marchessault leading the way. Six of his 25 goals have come in the last eight games. … The Panthers have the league's best penalty kill (85.9 percent). ... The Hawks beat Florida 2-1 in a shootout at the United Center on Nov. 29. Richard Panik snapped a 17-game goal-scoring drought by putting home the Hawks' only goal. He has added 13 more in the last 51 games.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena, 6:30 p.m. Monday
- John Dietz