Hossa, Hawks roll to 30th win of season
The Blackhawks certainly knew what they were doing last July when they decided to pursue Marian Hossa as a free agent rather than attempt to re-sign Martin Havlat.
Hossa had his second straight 2-goal game Tuesday night as the Hawks turned back Havlat and the Minnesota Wild 4-1 at the United Center for their 30th win of the season.
The Hawks didn't register their 30th victory last season until Feb. 11 on their way to 104 points.
The Hawks (30-10-3) are on pace to go way past 104 points this season. They've won four in a row and 11 of the last 13 games and have recaptured first place overall in the NHL standings from San Jose.
They lead Nashville by 10 points in the Central Division.
Is what's going on impressing even Hawks coach Joel Quenneville?
"We like the way we're playing," Quenneville said. "I think at home we've been very effective in a lot of ways. Ask me after that eight-game road trip we've got coming up at the end of the month and we'll have a better idea."
As for Hossa, he has 10 goals in just 21 games - compared to Havlat's 7 in 37 - after missing the first seven weeks of the season because of shoulder surgery.
"There was never a doubt in my mind he would get going," Hawks center John Madden said of Hossa. "I played against him for a lot of years when he was in Ottawa and we've had some battles so I've seen him light it up a lot.
"Last year in Detroit he had another great season, and it's going to be no different here. He missed the first 20-something games, so it's going to take him some time to get his legs back.
"But you know what? I think there's another level to him."
On a night the Hawks appeared a bit sluggish to start, Cristobal Huet made two big stops in the first two periods of a 1-1 game.
"I thought he had a terrific game," Quenneville said. "He really challenged well and made several key stops where the rebounds could have been very dangerous around our net. Overall he was a big factor in this tonight."
Guillaume Latendresse gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead at 13:52 of the first period off a scramble play in front.
The Hawks didn't have many good scoring chances in the first period, but they cashed in on their best one.
Kris Versteeg made a nice backhand pass to Madden all alone in front. Madden hit the post on his first try but tapped in the rebound before goalie Josh Harding could recover.
Hossa's first goal put the Hawks ahead 2-1 at 12:38 of the second period.
Patrick Sharp's pass from behind the net was on Hossa's stick in the slot and off it in a split second for his ninth goal of the season.
Sharp started the play by bumping Harding off the puck behind the net.
"The adjustment doesn't happen like that," Hossa said of his strong play of late. "It takes a bunch of games to get used to the system. I'm still thinking about everything and right now I'm getting there. Hopefully with my line we're going to be producing more."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Tim Sassone's game tracker</p>
<p class="News">Blackhawks 4, Wild 1</p>
<p class="News"><b>Three stars:</b></p>
<p class="News">1. Cristobal Huet, Hawks: Needed to make only 19 saves, but his strong first period allowed his teammates time to get the offense going.</p>
<p class="News">2. Marian Hossa, Hawks: Two goals for the second straight game.</p>
<p class="News">3. John Madden, Hawks: Scored a goal and made several key plays defensively, including helping thwart a 3-on-1.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Key stat:</b> The Hawks won 57 percent of the faceoffs with Jonathan Toews going 17-5.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Point man:</b> Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell had 2 more assists in 23 minutes, giving him 12 in the last 12 games.</p>
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