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Friday, March 29

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« Two-Point Diversion: Bulls Lose, Blackhawks Face Blues As the Bulls Turn: Bulls Drop One In Philly »

Blackhawks Wed Feb 03 2010

Blackhawks back home with healthy Bolland

After an extended road trip (and extended posting vacation, sorry), the United Center will be packed tonight for the long-awaited return of the Blackhawks, who face off against the St. Louis Blues at 7:30 p.m. The Hawks return to Chicago in fine shape, having gone 5-3 on their season-long 8 game trip, with the only real poor effort a 5-1 loss in Vancouver to the hated Canucks, though a 4-2 loss in Carolina to end the trip left a bit of a sour taste

Vancouver was also the site of the two biggest storylines of the trip (the Canucks Ryan Kesler calling Andrew Ladd a coward after Ladd dropped him with a single punch and those infamous party-boy limo photos of Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg and John Madden), but those both already feel like ancient history in the scheme of things. The Hawks just keep playing their game and getting wins to keep in the thick of the race for the Western Conference top spot. (As a further aside, the photo story was more comedy than controversy to me, but something that also probably happens a fair amount, just not with cameras present).

Tonight's game begins a reduced-February schedule, with 4 of 6 games at the United Center before an extended Olympic break. These games represent a chance for Chicago to gain some points before a hectic March schedule finds the team with 15 games in 30 days. Given that Chicago has 6 players heading back to Vancouver for the Winter Games, that glut of games could lead to some fatigue and dead legs, but a healthy position will allow coach Joel Quenneville to rest some regulars down the stretch.

However, the Hawks do have some reinforcements on the way, starting tonight with the return of center Dave Bolland. Bolland will hit the ice for the first time since Nov. 5 after recovering from surgery for a herniated disc. Bolland's 44 points and strong defense was a key for the Hawks a season ago, but was struggling to start the season due to his injury. While he'll be eased back slowly, a healthy Bolland allows the Hawks to shift Patrick Sharp back to his natural wing, and creates even more of a logjam in a crowded forward group. Also expected back after the break is forward Adam Burish from a torn ACL and has been practicing with the team.

 
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