Byfuglien adjusting to new role

Dustin Byfuglien hasn't played defense for a few years and it showed last Friday at Colorado when he let David Jones skate around him and score a short-handed goal.

Byfuglien knows he will need to remember and work on the skills he learned as a defenseman if the Hawks are going to continue using him at the right point on the power play.

"I have to be able to read the play and skate backwards," Byfuglien said. "I don't know the last time I had to pivot and go backwards that fast. It's something I'm going to get used to and after a couple days of practice here, I feel like I've gotten better at going backwards and getting ready for that race."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville moved Byfuglien from in front of the net to the point with the team in the midst of a 2-for-32 power play slide, hoping Byfuglien's big shot could provide a spark.

Byfuglien scored a power-play goal at Colorado as the Hawks went 1-for-3.

"It's something where I'm not uncomfortable going back and doing it," Byfuglien said. "It's something we're trying right now to get the power play better.

"Every power-play goal you get can get your team going and that's what we're trying to do now, look for something to get us going."

Ready to rumble: Ben Eager returned to the lineup Monday against Los Angeles after missing 13 games with a concussion.

Eager said the injury wouldn't prevent him from playing his physical style.

"I'm going to play the way I play and finish checks, go to the net hard and try to score some goals," Eager said.

Jonathan Toews also returned after six games on the shelf with a concussion not worrying about taking another big hit.

"I'm going to go right back in traffic," Toews said. "It's something I won't think about at all."

Joel Quenneville was happy to get his two key forwards back.

"I think they can both help us in a lot of ways," Quenneville said. "Johnny plays important minutes and his leadership means a lot as well. Benny gives us a presence with his speed and quickness and physical play."

Bolland still idle: Joel Quenneville said Dave Bolland's back hadn't improved in the last few days, moving the Hawks closer to a decision on what to do with their second-line center - shut him down indefinitely or have the surgery that could have him back playing in a few months.

"We're going to go day-by-day and where he is right now, he hasn't made any progress (Monday) so we'll see how his health is going," Quenneville said. "It's just more rest right now."