Blackhawks ready for stretch run

When Kevyn Adams blew out his left knee Nov. 7 against Columbus, he vowed to be back for the playoffs if the Blackhawks made it even as doctors were telling him he wouldn't play for at least six months.

Recovering from a torn ACL and MCL quicker than anyone expected, Adams will be in the lineup today when the Hawks host the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center.

"The one thing I tried telling myself when it happened was not to think any number that they were telling me," Adams said. "I didn't want to think six months. I had a date in my head that I was kind of shooting for and actually I'm ahead of that.

"We're hockey players, and that's all I was thinking about was to get back for this stretch run."

Adams will replace Ben Eager on the fourth line with Adam Burish and Craig Adams. The timing for Kevyn Adams' return couldn't be better since Eager injured his right shoulder in Friday's 3-2 loss to San Jose and will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Adams is one of the most popular players in the dressing room and a valued leader who will fill that on-ice void created when Martin Lapointe was traded to Ottawa.

"It's pretty impressive," teammate Patrick Sharp said. "We all thought he was done for the year way back in November. To see him come back a month-and-a-half, two months ahead of schedule, we all know how hard he worked and how bad he wants to get back in the lineup and help this team win."

Even though he couldn't play, Adams did what he could to help the team by advising his young teammates when necessary and working with the coaching staff in certain areas at home and on the road.

"He's battled back so hard to get back," said Hawks coach Denis Savard. "He's been invaluable to us by doing whatever he could to help."

Adams will jump into the middle of a playoff race. With only 14 games left on the schedule and the Hawks still 6 points out of the eighth and final spot, a home game such as today's against Edmonton is critical to win.

"This is a must win," Sharp said. "Every game from here to the rest of the year is going to be the biggest game of the year, but this definitely a must win. It's 2 points we have to have at home."

There were times when it appeared that if Adams returned, it would be to a team hopelessly out of the playoff race, but 9 wins in the last 13 games has the Hawks still in the mix.

"I'm ready and now it's go time," Adams said. "It's a huge time of year, so it's fun to be able to jump back in. I'm proud of what these guys have been able to do and so hopefully I can jump back in and add to it. I'm confident in my knee and confident I'm ready."

Today's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers at the United Center, 2 p.m.

TV: None

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: This is a must-win game for the Hawks, but it won't be easy. The surging Oilers have won five of their last six, including a 2-1 decision in overtime at Columbus on Friday. It was Edmonton's 21st game this season decided in either overtime or by shootout. The Oilers are without five injured regulars in Geoff Sanderson, Shawn Horcoff, Raffi Torres, Ethan Moreau and Sheldon Souray. Edmonton leads the season series 2-1. Hawks goalie Patrick Lalime has both losses.

Player to watch: Kevyn Adams. Hawks center returns after missing 53 games with torn knee ligaments.

Next: Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

-- Tim Sassone