Injury bug strikes again

Despite Martin Havlat scoring twice in his first game off the injury list, the news wasn't all good for the Blackhawks coming out of Wednesday's 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

Third-leading scorer Jason Williams aggravated a groin injury and likely will miss the next two weeks. Rookie center Jacob Dowell broke his right foot when he was hit on the same spot for the second time in three games. He is expected to be out at least one month and could require surgery.

Williams played 17 minutes against the Lightning and assisted on Havlat's first goal in his first game back after missing four due to the groin problem.

"He was off for 10 days, skated for four, played last night and he said it's just not there," coach Denis Savard said Thursday. "I can't tell you guys how much time he'll miss. I'd say it's day to day, but it's really not. We'll work on his core and hopefully get that pain out of there because it's been there for a while."

Williams had an MRI that showed no tears.

Dowell appeared in only four games following his recall from Rockford and had a goal.

"It's unfortunate for us and unfortunate for him," Savard said. "He's a heart-and-soul kid who plays with a lot of determination."

Center Colin Fraser was recalled from Rockford to take Dowell's roster spot.

Tuomo Ruutu will move to wing on the first line with Havlat and Robert Lang, replacing Williams. Savard said Sergei Samsonov also would be in the lineup tonight against Phoenix.

Defenseman James Wisniewski won't play tonight or Saturday at St. Louis as he recovers from a mild concussion and deep cut over his left eye.

Open spaces: Martin Havlat's return definitely took a lot of Tampa Bay's defensive attention away from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

"We definitely had more space," said Kane, who dished out 3 assists.

"Teams can't check just one line now," coach Denis Savard said. "If they want to check the kids, that's fine, but we have the other line together now."

The newly created line of Toews, Kane and Patrick Sharp combined for 2 goals and 6 points.

"It was a lot of fun," Sharp said. "I didn't feel very good from being sick, but it was easy playing with them. It's only going to get better and hopefully we can stay together for a while."

Funny guys: Tuomo Ruutu's teammates hung a wanted poster above his locker featuring his picture.

Ruutu has gained national attention for being mistakenly arrested by Bensenville police Tuesday as he jogged near the team's practice facility. There had been an attempted robbery moments earlier near the rink with the description of the suspect fitting Ruutu.

Nice gesture: Patrick Kane had a bottle of expensive wine waiting for each of his teammates at their locker stall Thursday, a thank you to them for his first NHL goal.

Martin Lapointe, a wine collector, approved of the selection.

The Hawks were quick to point out that the 19-year-old Kane did not purchase the wine. That was done by his dad.