Hawks' Versteeg counting on providing scoring help

Kris Versteeg went 18 games without scoring a goal before finally connecting in Friday's win over Vancouver, but who was counting?

Well, Versteeg was.

"Obviously, it (stinks)," Versteeg said. "Every time the game is done you always want to help contribute. It was a bit tough there, but I've been a bit streaky this year. I don't want to be that. I want to be more consistent, and hopefully this can lead to better things."

Not only did Versteeg break a goal drought against the Canucks, Andrew Ladd scored for the first time in nine games and Troy Brouwer for the first time in five.

"As of late guys have been snakebit so it was nice to see guys who haven't really got goals in the last while really dig in," Versteeg said. "That's how we're going to be successful, to get scoring from all four lines."

Brouwer's goal was his 19th, leaving him 1 shy of what he was targeting for himself this year.

"I've always been a goal scorer so I knew I had it in me," Brouwer said. "Lately, I know I've had to be better and I know I can be."

First timer: Defenseman Jordan Hendry got his first goal of the season against the Canucks, and it was a back breaker coming with 43 seconds to play in the first period and giving the Hawks a 5-1 lead.

It came against Roberto Luongo and was his first in the NHL since 2008 when he scored against Detroit's Dominik Hasek.

"Two great goaltenders," Hendry said.

Hendry has appeared in only 27 games as the Hawks' seventh defenseman but always has been ready to play when called upon.

"Being in the lineup has been tough, but I try to just go out and play my game," Hendry said. "It comes back to practicing and working hard. It's nice that I get to warm up before every game so that keeps me in a routine."

Injury report: Adam Burish won't make his return to the lineup from preseason knee surgery today against the Red Wings.

"We'll see, but we likely will have the same lineup as (Friday) night," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Saturday. "I think we're targeting Wednesday."

Defenseman Brent Sopel practiced Saturday but is questionable for today. Sopel has missed the last two games with a lower body injury.

Breakfast special: Set the alarm clock, put the coffee on and fry up a littler bacon.

It's breakfast with the Hawks, who will play the Red Wings on Sunday at the United Center in a game that starts at 11:30 a.m. to accommodate NBC's national telecast.

"When I was in the minors we used to play 11 o'clock games and 10:30 games and bring kids out from the schools to fill the stands," Patrick Sharp said. "I kind of treat it as a practice. You get up, have breakfast and go to the rink like you do every other day.

"National TV game, I think when it starts everyone will be fired up."