Marian Hossa will play, as will Artem Anisimov, when the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers tonight at the United Center.
Hossa last played the first two periods against Minnesota on Oct. 30; he suffered a lower-body injury and did not return for the third period of that game. Coach Joel Quenneville said earlier this week that Hossa’s injury was not serious, but the Blackhawks were also going to give him time to recover so it didn’t become serious.
“Yeah, you don't want to damage early season. So, you'd rather take a few days to get better, [get] where you need to be, and let the body settle down when you feel like you can go again,” Hossa said. “I think it was a smart decision.”
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The Blackhawks can only benefit from Hossa’s return, perhaps even more on the defensive side than on offense. Hossa was back on the top line, with Teuvo Teravainen and Jonathan Toews, in the morning skate.
“He certainly brings a lot to the table, all situations, key ice time and [he’s a] reliable player. I thought the last couple of games, [there were] stretches in the game where our team game was really loose. We have to tighten it up, and he does that as good as anybody.”
Anisimov, who missed part of the second period and all of the third with a lower-body injury against the New Jersey Devils, was centering the second line with Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane this morning.
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Ryan Garbutt did not skate this morning but Quenneville said the forward could play tonight. Garbutt also didn’t skate in New Jersey on Friday morning but played in the game that night.
Corey Crawford will start.
Defenseman Michal Rozsival, who continues to skate with the Blackhawks, could come back Thursday against the Devils or this weekend, when the Blackhawks are at St. Louis on Saturday and host the Calgary Flames here on Sunday.