Last season, the Blackhawks made their Stanley Cup run without major injuries, though they did lose the just-returned Brian Campbell when Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals made what many consider a dirty hit and broke his collarbone.
Campbell’s back now, but with Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa both out, the shuttle bus from Rockford’s Ice Hogs to the United Center will get some extended runs. Ben Smith and Ryan Potulny have had recent recalls. The Sun-Times reports that Bolland’s injury may be more serious than Hossa’s:
General manager Stan Bowman called Bolland’s rib injury ‘’short- term,’’ but he has to miss at least seven days after being put on IR, which is retroactive to Friday, the day he was injured. Ryan Potulny has taken his spot in the lineup. The Hawks play the Thrashers in Atlanta on Saturday.
Before that game in Atlanta, the Hawks will host the New Jersey Devils at the United Center tomorrow.