Hossa 'Expected' To Play In Game 4
(CBS) Blackhawks fans should expect to see No. 81 on the ice tonight.
Though he missed the team's morning skate, it looks like Marian Hossa will play in Game 4 after he was a late scratch in Game 3 due to an upper-body injury.
"He's expected to play tonight," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's fine."
Jamal Mayers, who skated in Hossa's place this morning, said even he expects the Blackhawks winger to be back.
"Clearly I'll prepare like I'm going to play, but I anticipate that he'll play," Mayers said. "We need him in there."
Hossa caught criticism from former NHL star Tony Amonte on Tuesday, who questioned his toughness after Hossa missed a Stanley Cup Final game.
After the Blackhawks morning skate, teammate Jonathan Toews defended Hossa.
"There's no question in our locker room that guys are laying it on the line for each other, and they have been throughout the entire season and playoffs especially," Toews said. "Guys are playing through tons of stuff. There's no question in our locker room that if Hoss could go and he could be effective for us, he would have. If people want to criticize from the outside, that's up to them."
The Blackhawks look to even the series at 2-2 against the Bruins tonight in Boston.
