Samsonov still seeking his first Hawks goal

Winger Sergei Samsonov has yet to score his first goal with the Blackhawks, but coach Denis Savard isn't concerned -- yet.

In five games, Samsonov has 1 assist and just 7 shots on goal, and he already has been dropped from the first line to the second.

"He has played well," Savard said. "He's played hard. I'm hoping he gets a goal soon, though, if only to help his confidence."

Samsonov will skate on the second line with Jonathan Toews and Tuomo Ruutu tonight against St. Louis at the United Center. Patrick Kane and Jason Williams are the new wingers in the top line with Robert Lang.

Savard has asked Samsonov to play a grittier game, and the veteran has responded.

"He's played grittier, all of us are, and we have to continue to play that way," Savard said.

The Hawks have scored only 9 goals in their first five games.

Decision time: The Hawks will decide today on the course of treatment for Martin Havlat's injured right shoulder.

It's a decision the Hawks are leaving up to Havlat, who has been examined by five doctors, including famed orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe, the Los Angeles doctor who invented Tommy John surgery for baseball pitchers.

"We're still hoping that he can rehab this without surgery," general manager Dale Tallon said.

Havlat has been doing light skating on his own but has said on several occasions that the shoulder still doesn't feel right.

Check it out: Denis Savard charted the number of successful forechecks by the Hawks in Saturday's 2-1 win over Dallas and came away even more impressed.

"We had 74 successful forechecks," Savard said. "That's 60 or 70 percent, which is a high rate. The players deserve all the credit. They did a great job."

Better than expected: The Hawks go into tonight's game against St. Louis with 18-year-old rookie winger Patrick Kane playing in the first line and 19-year-old Jonathan Toews centering the second line.

So much for bringing the kids along slowly.

"Are they doing more than I expected them to do? Probably," Denis Savard said. "They're maturing very quickly. They work hard and they make everyone around them work hard."

Tip-ins: Nikolai Khabibulin starts in goal tonight. Denis Savard said Patrick Lalime would start either Friday against Colorado at the United Center or Saturday at Toronto. … The Hawks signed free-agent center Martin St. Pierre on Tuesday and assigned him to Rockford. St. Pierre had been playing in Russia.

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: None

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: The Hawks get their first look at Paul Kariya in a Blues uniform. Last season while with Nashville, Kariya had 3 goals and 10 assists in eight games against the Hawks. He leads St. Louis in scoring with 6 assists. The Blues are off to a 3-1 start and have allowed only 8 goals, but defensemen Erik Johnson (foot), Eric Brewer (shoulder) and Jay McKee (foot aren't expected to play. The St. Louis penalty-killers are 18-for-19 in kills. The Hawks won five of the eight games last season.

Player to watch: Patrick Kane. The Hawks' rookie winger will play his first full game on the top line.

Next: Colorado Avalanche at the United Center, Friday

-- Tim Sassone