Pisani finally back in postseason
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — It was a long time between playoff appearances for Fernando Pisani, who was in the Blackhawks’ lineup for Game 2 on Friday for the injured Tomas Kopecky.
Pisani’s last playoff game was with the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, when he was one of the leading candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP.
Pisani scored 14 goals in 24 playoff games that year, but the Oilers lost to Carolina in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
“It’s been awhile,” Pisani said. “You always remember the time that you had and you try to use that experience to make you a better player.
“I think every player that puts the skates on wants to contribute one way or another. You always get excited for playoff hockey. You always want to be part of a team that’s had success and you want to be part of that.”
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville decided on playing Pisani over enforcer John Scott.
“He’s got experience, leadership, he’s a good kid, and you can use him in all areas and is responsible defensively,” Quenneville said. “He’s useful for us in a lot of ways, left and right side.
“A lot of times in the playoffs it’s the guys that are least expected to provide scoring or change momentum in games or the series. A guy like that could jump up and be a big factor.”
Kopecky suffered an upper-body injury early in Game 2 during a collision with Canucks defenseman Keith Ballard and is out indefinitely.
Hawks center Ryan Johnson, who tweaked his knee in the series opener, was in the lineup for Game 2.
Missed opportunities:A lot was made by some of the four goal posts the Hawks hit in Game 1, but in reality those are just off-target shots.Often it#146;s the goalies who don#146;t get the proper credit for post shots for having the correct angle on the shooter.#147;Those are missed shots,#148; Hawks winger Patrick Sharp said. #147;We#146;ve got to hit the net with those and find a way to put those in. I think if the series is over we can#146;t be sitting there happy that we hit posts. We have to put those in.#148;Sick bay:The Canucks played their second game without suspended winger Raffi Torres, who is eligible to return for Game 3 on Sunday at the United Center.Torres missed the morning skate Friday because of food poisoning but was expected to fly with the team to Chicago on Saturday.#147;Once it#146;s all out he#146;ll be back,#148; joked Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. #147;Right now I think it#146;s an upper-body thing.#148;Status quo:Dave Bolland skated again Friday morning as he continues to make progress from the concussion he suffered last month.Bolland related to reporters again how difficult it has been living a normal life since getting elbowed to the head by Tampa Bay defenseman Pavel Kubina.#147;You sit around, you can#146;t watch TV, you can#146;t text any of your friends,#148; Bolland said. #147;You can#146;t go outside because the sirens, the horns, everything is moving #8212; you just want to run back in the house.#148;It would be a surprise if Bolland were able to play in Game 3 on Sunday.Tip-ins:Jake Dowell was a scratch Friday, replaced by Marcus Kruger. #133; The Hawks stayed overnight in Vancouver and will fly home Saturday.