Kane Out Three Weeks; Hossa Nearing A Return
By Adam Hoge--
There's good news and bad news for Blackhawks fans.
Head coach Joel Quenneville said Patrick Kane will be out "upwards to three weeks" with a lower body injury. He also added: "We're hoping that's the maximum."
Quenneville wouldn't elaborate on the injury, but said, "I think you can speculate where it is."
If that's the case, it would be fair to say Kane suffered an apparent ankle injury in Sunday's 3-2 win against Calgary.
With Kane out, forward Jack Skille will get an opportunity to step up and fill his teammates skates.
"I'm excited more than anything to get more responsibility and a chance to get more ice time," Skille said. "Obviously with more ice time you get more chances and hopefully my offensive production picks up here."
The good news is that Quenneville said Marian Hossa could be back "towards the end of the weekend". Hossa has been out since he collided with teammate Nick Boynton in practice Nov. 29.
The head coach also expects to see Fernando Pisani back on the ice in the next two to three days.
Crawford in net against Stars
If you just look at wins and losses, starting Corey Crawford against Dallas Wednesday is a no brainer. He's won his last six starts.
But everyone knows Marty Turco played nine seasons in Dallas before joining the Blackhawks in the offseason. That's why it's somewhat of a surprise that Quenneville said Tuesday he will go with Crawford in net.
Turco was actually the one who broke the news and while he obviously has some disappointment, he supports the move.
"We're going to go with the winning formula. Corey's playing well and deserves to," Turco said Tuesday. "I got zero problems with it. If it was an Eastern Conference team and it was our only shot at them this year I might puff up my chest, but it's no big deal really. As long as we win."
With that said, Turco still wants to play against his former team this year, especially in Dallas.
"Yeah, I have some expectation to play one game in Dallas this year," he said.
Morin expected to be back Wednesday
Jeremy Morin, who was sent back to Rockford Monday, is expected to be recalled for Wednesday's game. The move was cap related and Quenneville said that might not be the only move the Blackhawks make.
"We could have up to two (recalls)," he said.
The second recall of course would be to fill Kane's spot.
Burish returns
Wednesday also marks the return of forward Adam Burish to the United Center. Burish of course broke into the NHL with the Blackhawks and played parts of four seasons in Chicago.
Skille, who played with Burish both in college and in the NHL, says he's ready to face his former teammate.
"He's back in the madhouse and he's going be looking to be excited and run around and run his mouth probably," Skille said. "But it's all part of the game and that's what he does, that's how he's successful out there."
