Bolland, Hossa back together on Hawks’ second line

Dave Bolland has centered for Marian Hossa before without memorable results, but when they are reunited on the second line again starting Wednesday night against Minnesota, it’s going to be more important than ever that they find some chemistry with newcomer Michael Frolik.

The Hawks need production from the second line, and specifically from Hossa.

“We’d like to bring the best out of everybody,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think that’s our objective when we put them together.

“It really has the potential to be a really nice line for us, but we need that grouping to be effective. Hopefully they can all max out for us.”

Bolland, despite being normally in a checking center role on the third line, is an upgrade in skill over Tomas Kopecky with Hossa.

“I think with Hossa and Frolik, we can do some things,” Bolland said.

“We know what we have to do,” Hossa said. “We have to play, and play well.”

Sick bay:

Patrick Kane missed his second day of practice Tuesday with the flu, but Joel Quenneville was hopeful the winger would be well enough to play against Minnesota.

The flu bug has hit the Hawks hard since Christmas, with Kane, Marian Hossa, Jake Dowell, Nick Boynton, John Scott and Corey Crawford all missing at different times.

Hossa was sick last week in Edmonton despite getting a flu shot.

“It’s a similar virus and it’s not pleasant,” Hossa said. “It seems like the entire team is going through it, but we have to battle through it.

Earning it:

Before Tuesday’s games, only seven teams had fewer power-play opportunities than the Hawks’ 196 for the season.

“You want to say we don’t get enough power plays, but you have to earn it by how you’re competing,” Joel Quenneville said. “You’ve got to fight for position and maybe a guy trips you, those type of things.

“There’s no sense in feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to turn it where it’s going to be positive, and I think finding solutions is what we’re talking about. Make the ref call a penalty based on how hard you work. We’re the ones that have to make it happen.”

Think summer:

Passes for the fourth annual Blackhawks convention go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m., through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) or at chicagoblackhawks.com.

The convention will take place July 15-17 at the Hilton Chicago.

Tip-ins:

Tomas Kopecky takes Dave Bolland’s spot on the so-called checking line between Bryan Bickell and Troy Brouwer. … The Hawks announced Tuesday a five-year contract extension with WGN-TV. … Defenseman Nick Leddy was recalled from Rockford.