Bourque '98 percent' chance to play tonight
After missing a stretch of games with a groin injury, winger Rene Bourque practiced with the team Monday at the Edge in Bensenville. Afterward, Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said there was a "98 percent" chance Bourque would be back in the lineup tonight against Columbus.
"He's been out for a while, but conditioning has never been a problem for him," Savard said. "He's one of the most fit guys on the team."
After a week off, Bourque began skating again Friday and Saturday before practicing full-out Monday.
"I feel good," he said. "It was tough (to sit and watch), especially at a place like Toronto where I've never played before. But I'll get back there."
New duo: Hawks coach Denis Savard liked what he saw from veteran defensemen Brent Sopel and Duncan Keith in Toronto so much that he plans to keep them together for a while.
"I thought Dunc was tremendous in Toronto when we paired them together," Savard said.
Change of plans: Consider it a lesson learned.
After seeing his team toss a dud in a home loss to St. Louis last Wednesday, Hawks coach Denis Savard decided to push his squad a little harder on the eve of another midweek game -- tonight against Columbus at the United Center.
"Last week we had a day off and two practices and we played and didn't come out as strong as we could," Savard said. "This week we had one day off and one practice; we'll see if that works out.
"Practice was a little more intense today. I felt I needed to push them a little more after a day off. It's about preparation. It's a big game."
Center of attention: While many are focused on the Hawks' young guns early on, it's the big play of veteran center Robert Lang that had Hawks coach Denis Savard gushing Monday.
"He's a big center and most teams have one of those big guys," he said. "It really makes a difference for us because you've got the (Joe) Thornton's, the (Mats) Sundin's … with those types, size becomes a factor. Having (Lang) makes a big difference.
"And he scores big goals."
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
The skinny: As coach Denis Savard pointed out Monday, Columbus might have dropped a 4-1 decision to Vancouver on Sunday, but lost in the process was the Blue Jackets holding the high-flying Canucks without a shot in the second period. They have registered shutouts in three of their first seven games.
Player to watch: Blue Jackets goalie Pascal Leclaire is 3-2-0 with a 1.61 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. Leclaire has 3 shutouts.
Next: Boston Bruins at the TD BankNorth Garden, 6 p.m. Thursday.
-- Mike Spellman