Eager pleased to get back on the ice

Ben Eager waited a long time to make a contribution to his new team.

After being acquired by the Blackhawks from Philadelphia on Dec. 18 for Jim Vandermeer, Eager appeared in only three games before going out of the lineup with a concussion. He missed 27 games before finally feeling symptom-free.

Back on the ice Sunday for the first time since Jan. 30, Eager had an assist and was a physical presence in the Hawks' 4-1 win over Vancouver.

"It's been tough since I got here, not being with the team pretty much, but it was nice to get back and feel back to normal and help the team," Eager said. "It's tough to work on relationships when you're not with the team. It's nice to be back and be part of things for sure."

The Hawks acquired the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Eager to give them more size and muscle.

"You want to prove yourself," Eager said. "I know I can play. I'm just happy to be back to feeling normal and feeling good."

Easy does it: Robert Lang, who has missed the last three games with a sore back, practiced Monday at full speed but won't play tonight at Minnesota. There's a chance he could return Wednesday against Anaheim at the United Center.

"He'll get a few days of skating here and see how he reacts," coach Denis Savard said.

Dave Bolland, who sat out Sunday with a hip flexor, practiced and will face the Wild.

With Bolland ready to play and Adam Burish returning from his one-game suspension, centers Jake Dowell and Petri Kontiola were returned to Rockford.

Pain killer: Nikolai Khabibulin got a shot Monday to help ease the pain in his back but figures to be out of action for at least another week.

"We'll see how that goes the next couple days," Denis Savard said. "He's probably not going to do anything for the next two or three days."

Khabibulin has missed the last five games.

Crawford gets Ducks: With Patrick Lalime struggling on the second night of the last two set of back-to-back games, Denis Savard said rookie Corey Crawford would start in goal Wednesday against Anaheim.

It will be Crawford's second NHL start. He started two seasons ago on Feb. 2, 2006, at St. Louis and made 29 saves in a 6-5 loss to the Blues in a shootout.

"It's going to be a good test and I'll try to do my best," Crawford said.

"Our fans are going to get the chance to see him and at the same time I think he'll do a good job for us," Savard said. "I think he's going to be fine."

Crawford has appeared in two games in the last two weeks in relief of Lalime, allowing 3 goals on 15 shots.