More-relaxed Hossa strutted his stuff in Buffalo
With his explosive speed, pinpoint shooting and passing, and impressing strength on the puck watching Marian Hossa play can be a thing of beauty.
Hossa had it all going Monday at Buffalo when he scored 2 goals and could have had a few more in the Blackhawks' 4-3 win.
Hossa has been the Hawks' best player since the start of the preseason and has started the regular season with 3 goals and 2 assists in the first three games.
“He's that guy who can make something out of nothing, linemate Jonathan Toews said. “He was big for us (Monday) and we want him to keep playing that way.
While Hossa was good last season in his first year with the Hawks, he appears to have moved past nagging shoulder and knee problems and returned to superstar form.
The Hawks lost a lot of goal scoring over the off-season, but Hossa claims that's not his motivation at the moment.
“That's not my aim, to have the most goals on the team, Hossa said. “I have my part and I'm fine with it.
“Sometimes you've got stretches when the puck goes in for you and sometimes you've got stretches when it doesn't go in. I'm trying to shoot the puck at the net as long as it's going in and make some plays.
Hossa does admit he is a more relaxed player now that he has fulfilled his primary goal of winning a Stanley Cup.
“I feel more relaxed, obviously with summer break, and winning the Stanley Cup definitely helped, Hossa said. “Playing with great players, that helps too.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville mentioned before the season how he thought Hossa looked quicker on the ice.
“He's got a lot of pace to his game, Quenneville said. “In those tight areas he comes up with a lot of loose pucks with his strength on his stick.
“Positionally he's always strong. I think he's committed defensively and off of that he gets a lot of offense. That line has been dangerous.
Hossa's goal late in the second period Monday that put the Hawks ahead to stay 3-2 was that of a pure goal scorer. He came in alone on Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, faked a slap shot, then snapped the puck past Miller when he saw an opening.
“I faked a slap shot and after just released it quick when he opened it and tried to close it, Hossa said. “It was a halfway slapper.
Getting his due: Defenseman Nick Boynton is proving to be valuable contributor in the absence of the injured Brian Campbell.
Boynton played 23 minutes and was plus-2 with an assist at Buffalo, earning one of the stars-of-the-game honor.
When was the last time that happened?
#8220;Probably (before) the lockout, Boynton joked.
Boynton played more than 20 minutes in Saturday's loss to Detroit.
#8220;I enjoy playing as much as I can, Boynton said. #8220;It's a little different for Duncs and Seabs (Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook), because they're on the ice for the whole game basically, but for me I welcome it.