Back from injury, Hossa starting to have an impact
It's been a frustrating season for Marian Hossa, but the 37-year-old veteran had one of his better games at the United Center during a 3-2 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday.
Hossa scored a short-handed goal 8:18 into the first period on a breakaway for the 497th goal of his career. After Shayne Gostisbehere's stick shattered in two, Niklas Hjalmarsson poked the puck to Artem Anisimov, who poked the puck to Hossa. Seconds later, the big man fired a shot past Michal Neuvirth blocker-side to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Hossa has 32 short-handed goals in his career, more than any other NHL player. He also had another breakaway chance with 11:40 to go and the game tied at 2-2, but he couldn't beat Neuvirth a second time.
"I think he fanned on it, so it hit me just in the chest," Neuvirth said. "So, it wasn't a hard save."
The game featured new-look lines for the Hawks, with Jonathan Toews being joined by Tomas Fleischmann and Kane on the top line. Hossa was on the second line with Anisimov and Artemi Panarin, while Teuvo Teravainen centered the third line with Andrew Ladd and Andrew Shaw as his wingers.
Hossa, who normally plays with Toews, wasn't at all upset about the line shuffling.
"It doesn't matter where you play on this team," Hossa said. "Our team is so deep; great players on different lines. At the end of the day, it's all about winning hockey games."
Just how long will these lines stay together is anyone's guess, and coach Joel Quenneville didn't shed much light on the subject after his team's fourth straight setback.
"It's an option," he said of keeping Toews and Kane together. "I still think we're better when we're apart, as far as deeper and more dangerous."
Bickell back?
Bryan Bickell, who has been playing for the Rockford IceHogs since mid-January, hasn't scored a goal in four games, but Joel Quenneville said he received a "good report" after the IceHogs' 1-0 victory over Charlotte on Tuesday. Bickell took a five-minute fighting penalty in the first period and had 2 shots on goal.
"He was engaged last night," Quenneville said. "(Assistant GM) Norm (Maciver) was at the game and very pleased with him."
Quenneville said Bickell could be a candidate to join the Hawks for the playoff run.
He's coming along:
Marcus Kruger, who continues to work his way back from a dislocated wrist he suffered in December, is expected to join the Hawks on their four-game road trip that begins March 26 in Calgary.
Slapshots:
Patrick Kane ended a three-game point drought by assisting on Jonathan Toews' second-period goal. Kane now has 90 points on the season. ... Niklas Hjalmarsson registered an assist on Marian Hossa's first-period goal against the Flyers, giving Hjalmarsson 3 assists in the last six games.