Center Bolland part of Hawks' homecoming

When second-line center Dave Bolland was lost to back surgery in early November, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville admitted he worried about how things would work out.

But the Hawks never skipped a beat without Bolland, thanks in large part to Patrick Sharp moving from wing to center and filling the void.

"For three months we haven't had Bolly and it was like we were going to wonder how we were going to get through it," Quenneville said. "Sharpie has done a real good job and been real effective in that role. He's been very consistent and been productive as well, a lot of times against the other team's top line.

"I was concerned going into that and very pleased coming out of it."

After missing 41 games, Bolland returns to the lineup Wednesday night against St. Louis at the United Center at what is a perfect time for the Hawks.

With just six games remaining before the two-week Olympic break, Quenneville views this as an important stretch of the season.

"We want to make sure we go into the break here on a positive note and have some momentum," Quenneville said. "You targeted that long trip and now that we've got these six games here, let's bring some meaning to the games. They're all games we want to win badly and (that) could put us in a good spot going into that break.

"Let's try to recapture some momentum here at home and take advantage of what it feels like playing here."

The Hawks are 21-5-1 at the United Center.

"It's good to be back home and we want to take advantage of it, obviously," goalie Cristobal Huet said. "It's easy to focus on these six games because it's a short period of time and then we'll have our rest."

If the Hawks are looking for something to get excited about following their eight-game road trip, Bolland's return should provide a spark.

"I feel 100 percent; everything's ready to go," Bolland said.

Bolland practiced at center between Sharp (back at wing) and Marian Hossa on Tuesday, although Quenneville wouldn't commit to Bolland starting Wednesday night's game there.

"I don't know if he's going to start there or if he'll work his way up," Quenneville said. "We'll see how that shakes out at the morning skate."

The playmaking Bolland is the logical choice to play with Hossa considering how well he worked with Martin Havlat last season.

"It was fun getting on that line and being with those guys," Bolland said. "Wherever Joel wants me to play, I'll play."

Andrew Ladd, who has been a fixture at left wing on the line with Sharp and Hossa, left practice early Tuesday with what Quenneville called a lower-body injury and is questionable for Wednesday night's game.

If Ladd can't play it would eliminate Quenneville's decision about what forward to scratch with Bolland returning and what winger to drop down the depth chart - either Ladd, Kris Versteeg or Dustin Byfuglien.

"Making tough decisions, we welcome that," Quenneville said. "We'll see how this plays out. We haven't had many tough decisions all year up front. Jordan (Hendry) makes it tough for us on the back end; he's played well for us when he does come in.

"We'll sort it out and make sure we keep everybody fresh at the same time."