Bourque out with broken thumb
When it comes to injuries, Rene Bourque can't shake the bad luck that seems to follow him around.
The results of X-rays on Sunday revealed Bourque broke his right thumb blocking a shot with 10 minutes left in Saturday's 5-3 win at Detroit and will be lost to the Blackhawks for 4-6 weeks.
The injury came just as Bourque was playing his best hockey of the season. He had 2 short-handed goals and an assist before leaving the game against the Red Wings.
"He's been great," linemate Patrick Sharp said. "I thought he was great all road trip, doing the little things, getting on the puck in the offensive zone and winning his battles. It's unfortunate he left the game."
Bourque and linemates Sharp and Dave Bolland were just starting to click. Now it's likely the Hawks must recall a winger from Rockford, with the possible candidates being Jack Skille, Mike Blunden or Troy Brouwer.
If there's not a recall, Martin Havlat could take Bourque's spot in the lineup, provided Havlat is given medical clearance to return when he sees team doctors today.
Bourque has suffered more than his share of injuries in his career. Last season he missed 13 games because of a deep neck laceration from a skate and 22 games with an ankle injury.
Welcome break: The Hawks are home for three days of practice starting today in Bensenville before continuing their road trip Thursday at Calgary.
After the Hawks allowed 12 goals in games against Columbus, Nashville and Detroit, coach Denis Savard was eager to get on the ice for practice.
"This week can't come any better for us," Savard said. "The next three days we've got a lot of things we need to work on, starting with our defensive zone coverage."
Fourth-and-long: Fourth liners Adam Burish, Martin Lapointe and Sergei Samsonov have yet to score a goal, but that's not what concerns Denis Savard.
"I'd like to see them pitch in one here and there, but the most important thing for them is they can't get scored against," Savard said.
"I think they're aware of their roles and what they need to do, and they will pitch in a goal here and there. Marty has scored 20 goals before."