GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago Blackhawks have sometimes struggled to find that insurance goal, that score to give them a little breathing room late in games.
And on a night when the power play was sputtering some again, they found that goal with their other special teams.
Dave Bolland scored a short-handed goal early in the third period and the Blackhawks' kill helped them to a 5-2 victory against the Coyotes on Tuesday night. Bolland's goal gave the Blackhawks that elusive two-goal lead and helped them regain momentum after taking back-to-back penalties to start the third.
"If I can do that every game it would be nice," Bolland said with a grin. "It was a good break. It's a huge advantage when you score on the PK; it gets the guys going."
Duncan Keith, who had two assists on the night, said, "to get that extra goal, it's what we were looking for in the Boston game (on Saturday night). To get that tonight, that shows you there's the difference how it changes the game."
Marian Hossa, back after missing Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, scored the Blackhawks' lone power-play goal (5 on 3). Jonathan Toews, Jamal Mayers and Bryan Bickell also scored. Corey Crawford got the victory.
The Blackhawks kept Coyotes goaltender Jason LaBarbera busy, peppering him with 35 shots. They went on the power play five times. Despite all of that, the Blackhawks just couldn't find breathing room. And with Hossa in the box to start the third period, and Patrick Sharp whistled just as Hossa's penalty ended, the Blackhawks were playing with fire in another tight game.
NHL
Enter Bolland, whose steal and shot provided a cushion and woke up the Blackhawks.
"Bolley has a quick stick and deceptive shot," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Obviously that turned into a huge goal for us."
Hossa returns
Hossa was back after missing Saturday with an upper body injury. The right wing, back with linemates Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo, played just under 18 minutes, recording a goal on three shots and two takeaways. Hossa said he was feeling pretty good after the game.
"After not practicing four days I was afraid but I tried to keep short shifts and (linemates) helped me," he said. "It felt pretty good for the first game (back). We'll see how it feels on the flight back, but so far it feels good."
Briefly
The Blackhawks' penalty kill was 3 for 3 on Tuesday and is now 8 for 8 over the last three games.
Keith was a plus-3 on the night.
Toews was 17 of 21 in the faceoff circle.
Mayers' goal was his first with the Blackhawks.