Perreault gets chance on first line tonight

Yanic Perreault will skate at left wing on the first line with Robert Lang and Jason Williams tonight when the Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center.

The struggling Perreault, who has seen limited duty since the start of the season, scored his first goal in Sunday's loss to Nashville.

"He got a goal last game, so hopefully that is going to spark him up," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "Playing with Lang and Williams should give him a little confidence.

"As long as he has his intent in the game, to move his feet, be a good forechecker and is intent to be good defensively, I'll continue to play him."

Perreault had been playing on the third line with Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland.

"You do whatever they ask you to do," Perreault said. "You just need to adjust to whatever role they ask."

Adam Burish went from the first line to the fourth line with Kevyn Adams and Martin Lapointe at practice Tuesday. Rene Bourque was moved from the fourth line to left wing on the third with Sharp and Bolland.

Sergei Samsonov will be a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game.

One more chance: There was a change in plans, and the Hawks won't be staying in a hotel this afternoon prior to the game against Columbus.

General manager Dale Tallon said Monday the hotel idea was a go in an attempt to turn around the Hawks' 3-5 record at home, but Denis Savard wanted to give the players one more chance to prepare themselves at home.

"We'll see what happens (against the Blue Jackets), if it's something we need to address," Savard said.

Easy does it: Martin Havlat is not quite ready for a practice with contact.

"I was hoping for this week, but we want to make sure he's mentally ready for it. That's a big key," Denis Savard said. "His mind-set is not quite there yet."

Havlat has been sidelined since opening night with a right shoulder injury.

Tip-ins: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and winger Martin Havlat are on the all-star ballot for fan voting, which starts Nov. 13 and continues through Jan. 2 … Defenseman Andrei Zyuzin could return from his groin injury this weekend. He will miss his fifth straight game tonight.