Despite a plethora of chances for Marian Hossa, the pucks just don’t seem to be going in like they used to. But with only two goals on a team-leading 58 shots, the right winger knows it’s just a matter of time.
“I know it’s been a long time but I have been created chances,” Hossa said. “If I wasn’t having the chances I would be a little worried. We (the Toews line) have played pretty good hockey the last couple games.”
Hossa’s shooting percentage this season has dipped to a miserable 3.4 percent, well below his career average of 12.7. Frustration is starting to set in for the veteran forward.
“I would be lying if I said no,” Hossa said after practice. “I just try to stay positive, keep smiling, keep working hard, and I know eventually the puck will go in.”
The forward will look to break out of the scoring funk tonight at Rexall Place against the Edmonton Oilers. It’s a building, however, where he hasn’t fared well in the past. The Slovakian winger only has three goals in 15 career games in Edmonton. Joel Quenneville hasn’t been too worried about Hossa’s game as of late.
“I think he’s been better the last few games. That line of Saad and Toews are getting a lot of zonetime and they’re having the puck a lot more. I think the finish will come with them,” Quenneville said.
“He’s a tremendous player and everyone goes through that,” said his linemate Jonathan Toews. “It just goes to show that scoring is about confidence, it’s kind of a mental state. When they don’t go in, it can take a while to get things clicking in his favor again.”
The Blackhawks have been forced to dress some younger defensemen after trading Nick Leddy to the New York Islanders for salary cap relief. The team has seen 24-year-old David Rundblad, 23-year-old Trevor Van Riemsdyk, and 22-year old Adam Clendening man the blue line this season. Hossa said the added defensive responsibilities of covering for a young blue line hasn’t changed his game this season.
“It doesn’t matter who is back there. That’s the way I’ll play and that’s my game. I’m not going to change because of younger defenseman,” Hossa said.
One player who isn’t struggling with shooting percentage is Clendening. The defenseman got the call-up from Rockford on Thursday night in a 4-3 win against the Calgary Flames, scoring a goal on his only shot in his NHL debut.
Saturday will mark a second NHL debut for the Hawks. Phillip Danault, Chicago’s first-round-pick (26th overall) in 2011, was called up to the big club Friday.
I wasn’t expecting (the call-up),” Danault said. “It’s an amazing feeling for me and it’s a great experience to be up here with the Blackhawks.”
Danault, who has 10 points in 14 AHL games this season, will slide in at center for the injured Andrew Shaw. Shaw missed the last game against Calgary with an upper body injury and Quenneville said after practice Saturday that he is doubtful for the next two games.
Projected lines:
Brandon Saad – Jonathon Toews – Marian Hossa
Kris Versteeg – Brad Richards – Patrick Kane
Ben Smith - Marcus Kruger – Joakim Nordstrom
Bryan Bickell – Phillip Danault – Daniel Carcillo
Chicago is looking for its first three-game win streak of the season. Tonight they draw the hapless Oilers, who have yet to win a game against a Western Conference team, going a dismal 0-9-1 on the year.
In the past, games between the Oilers and Hawks have been high-scoring affairs. The Blackhawks have dominated the matchup as of late. They won all three games against Edmonton last season, scoring five goals in each game.
“Playing against this team tonight, we want to make sure we play a good checking game,” Hossa said. “If we play them defensively, we’re going to create chances. But if you try to play open hockey against this team, they definitely can hurt you.”
“They’re a team that likes to play offensively and we need to take that away from them. Our offense will take care of itself.”
Quenneville will turn to Antti Raanta between the pipes to make sure the score stays in check. The Finnish netminder sports a solid 2.03 goals against average, and a .933 save percentage this season. It will be his first start since a 3-2 loss to St. Louis on Oct. 25.
UPDATE: In an unexpected turn of events, Corey Crawford will make a second consecutive start for the Blackhawks. Raanta had been expected to be between the pipes in Edmonton but wasn’t on the ice for warm-ups; the team said he was "not feeling well."
Crawford is coming off a game in Calgary on Thursday where he stopped 24 of 27 shots for the win.