Marian Hossa Returns to Face Phoenix Coyotes
Hossa returns to the lineup after missing the team’s last game. Look for him to play next to Kane and Carcillo. To see the team’s full lines, click here.
UPDATE 10/18/11: Hossa skated today on his usual line, alongside Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo. Stepping back onto the ice for the first time since Thursday is certainly encouraging but actually playing tonight is another decision. More to come…
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UPDATE 10/17/11: Latest news out of Chicago, via Twitter, indicates Hossa remains questionable for tomorrow’s game. While Hossa will make the trip with his team, he has not skated for four days now.
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UPDATE: Hossa will not play tonight as he did not come out for warmups. Look for Stalberg to take his place on the second line and for Scott to draw in on the fourth line. For the complete team lineup, click here.
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If you own Marian Hossa, tough luck. Even though your fantasy hockey rosters will be frozen around 7 PM EST, we likely will not know whether Hossa plays tonight until 8 PM EST, a half an hour before the puck drops. From the Chicago Tribune:
Winger Marian Hossa did not participate in the Hawks’ morning skate at the United Center and coach Joel Quenneville said the decision on whether the veteran plays in the Original Six matchup will come just prior to the game.
Hossa is deemed day-to-day with an upper-body injury but coach Joel Quenneville claims it is nothing serious. Yesterday, the Slovakian winger missed practice and that was deemed to be a maintenance day. Nothing with Hossa’s injury history seems to indicate he’s a fast healer. If he does play tonight, it will likely be at below 100 percent.
As for the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks line combinations, we won’t know those either. Victor Stalberg could draw back in. If he can’t play look for RW/D John Scott to fill in on the fourth line.
Stay tuned for further updates.