Bolland easing his way back into lineup
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville promised to ease Dave Bolland back into the lineup, and that's what he did in Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to St. Louis at the United Center.
Bolland, who missed 41 games following back surgery, mostly centered the fourth line for Ben Eager and Tomas Kopecky with Colin Fraser a healthy scratch.
"He's going to have to grow and earn some of that quality ice time as we go along here," Quenneville said. "We like the balance we have. I don't think we've had the lines for this duration being together. We'll keep going the way they are and maybe have a little more depth on all the lines."
Bolland played almost 14 minutes and was minus-1 with 2 shots on goal.
"The first period was a little sluggish just getting around, but after that I started coming around with my game," Bolland said.
"Getting back out there and taking a hit and giving a hit, I was a little nervous. I was a little bit worried, but that comes with the territory of this game. You're going to take hits and bangs."
Fraser had appeared in all 55 games before his first healthy scratch.
"I'm sure it's disappointing, but at the same time it doesn't necessarily always have to be him," Quenneville said.
Bobblehead boy: It was Duncan Keith bobblehead doll night Wednesday, and the defenseman liked the finished product.
"It's got the long (hair) flow going, white teeth; it's pretty good," Keith joked. "It's pretty cool, I guess."
Change of plans: Joel Quenneville had to alter his game plan and go with Cristobal Huet in goal after planned starter Antti Niemi came down with the flu.
Joe Fallon was recalled from Rockford to serve as Niemi's backup.
According to the Hawks, Fallon was brought up instead of Corey Crawford because Rockford had a game Wednesday and Crawford was needed to play.
The 25-year-old Fallon, a ninth-round draft pick in 2005, leads Rockford in wins with 13 and has a .911 save percentage.
Tough schedule: By the time the Blues hit the Olympic break they'll likely know if they are going to make the playoffs.
How's this for a stretch of seven games leading up to the break? Chicago, San Jose, Chicago, Colorado, Detroit, Toronto and Washington. That's four games against the three best teams in the NHL in the Hawks, Sharks and Capitals.
"It's an opportunity for us to prove we belong in the group that you can anticipate are heading into the playoffs," Blues coach Davis Payne said.
Hitchcock fired: Ken Hitchcock became the second Central Division coach relieved of his duties when he was fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
The Blues fired Andy Murray last month.
Columbus, a playoff qualifier last season, is 22-27-9, 14th in the Western Conference and 11 points out of a playoff spot. Assistant coach Claude Noel was named interim head coach.