Blackhawks' Hossa, Stalberg Return vs. Blue Jackets

By Angie Wiatrowski in News on Dec 26, 2010 7:30PM

Well, Blackhawks’ coach Joel Quenneville was right when he said he had expecations of Marian Hossa returning after Christmas, the day after to be exact. After missing ten games due to an upper body injury, Hossa will return as the Hawks host the Blue Jackets tonight.

Viktor Stalberg will also join Hossa, lacing up his skates for the first time since being boarded on Dec. 15.

Missing their key players (including still sidelined Patrick Kane [ankle]) was definitely a big hit but the Hawks have handled it well. They are 6-3-1 since the day after losing Hossa on Nov. 30 and six days before losing Kane. As of yesterday, the Hawks are seventh in the Western Conference with 41 points. Not bad considering they are just steps away from No. 1 Detroit with 46 points.

Corey Crawford has continued to be solid in net, but Marty Turco will get the start tonight as Crawford was out sick this morning. Hannu Toivenen was called up from Rockford and this will be Turco’s third start in the last 13 games and first since Dec. 13 in Colorado. Crawford has started every game of this homestand and improved to 10-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average in his last 12 starts after making 24 saves Wednesday vs. Nashville.

Starting Turco still could be hit or miss for the Hawks. The Blue Jackets are 4-1-1 in their last six games at the United Center, rallying from a two-goal deficit for a 3-2 victory Oct. 23 with Crawford making a season-high 37 saves in the loss. Regardless, the Hawks have a pretty good history with Columbus as Patrick Sharp has an 11-game point streak against the Blue Jackets with 9 goals and 6 assists.