Refreshed Hawks ready to get back on the ice

Back in the 1980s, after former president Richard Nixon had been out of the game for awhile, the T-shirts started popping up, proclaiming him tanned, ready and rested.

The same might be said of the Blackhawks - minus the tan part - after getting three days to recuperate following a grueling stretch of 18 games in 33 days which ended with back-to-back losses.

Maybe that's why there was a decided spring in the Hawks' step Wednesday as coach Joel Quenneville put his guys through a spirited practice prior to their final home game of the month (against Columbus) followed by a stretch of eight straight on the road.

"We were so busy through that stretch of games," Quenneville said. "You value practice time and getting some quality work is something we were trying to do. Get our focus, try to get our momentum back in our practice."

His players think it worked.

"We had a longer practice than usual which was good; we got out there and worked on some stuff we haven't worked on in awhile," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said.

"We were refreshed. We've got our last home game in a while here, so it's something to be excited about - try to go out there and play our 'A' game."

"It's good for the guys to get their rest," said Cristobal Huet, who will start in net Thursday. "We had a good, intense practice and we'll be ready to play a high intensity game."

The Hawks will be looking for a win Thursday against their division rival after dropping consecutive games to Minnesota and Anaheim over the weekend.

"I think we might have taken our foot off the gas a little," Patrick Sharp said of the mini-skid. "We got away from our team concept and doing things the way we should."

Besides being well rested, the Hawks will also gain from the return of Marian Hossa to the lineup. That was the good news on the injury front. Defenseman Cam Barker's status merited only a "we'll see" from Quenneville.

While their rare two-game losing streak has caused a little stirring among the fan base, the Hawks are still playing it cool.

"Everyone's got high expectations, so I guess that's the way it's going to be," Toews said. "We're not going to panic - it's two games.

But -

"It certainly gets your attention," Quenneville said. "We will lose games. It shows you it's a very competitive conference. We're not going to win every night. We're not going to win every night and we're not going to win by two or three (goals) every night.

"This situation we're in now, we should respond favorably to a tough game (Thursday). We don't play for another eight at home, so let's take advantage of it."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p>

<p class="News">Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.</p>

<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p>

<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>

<p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> The Blue Jackets' modest three-game winning streak came to a halt Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to St. Louis when goalie Mathieu Garon was pulled in the first period after allowing 3 goals on 9 shots. That has been a big problem all season for the Blue Jackets, who have allowed a conference-high 158 goals.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, 1 p.m. Saturday</p>

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