Blackhawks relieved to be getting Bolland back

Tuesday, 02.05.2013 / 4:18 PM

By Eric Gilmore - NHL.com Correspondent / 2012-2013 At the Rink blog

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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Second-line center Dave Bolland will return to the lineup Tuesday night for the Chicago Blackhawks against the San Jose Sharks after missing one game with an injury to his lower right leg.

Shortly after the Blackhawks' morning skate at HP Pavilion, Bolland broke the news that he'd be in the lineup, then coach Joel Quenneville confirmed it.

Bolland said he'll have no limitations in Tuesday night's game.

"Feels great," Bolland said.

Bolland was injured Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks when he took a slash from Jannik Hansen in the third period of Chicago's 2-1 shootout loss. He initially feared he had broken a bone and might be out for the season. But after missing Chicago's 3-2 shootout win Saturday night at Calgary, Bolland practiced Monday and skated Tuesday morning at HP Pavilion.

Linemate Patrick Kane said it will be "huge" to have Bolland back on the ice against San Jose.

"I don't know if any of us really knew the extent of the injury," Kane said. "He's a good player. He obviously can play in a lot of different roles -- penalty kills and plays the power play and is a very effective center for us. It's good to have him back, especially these type of games."

Bolland has three goals and one assist in eight games for the Blackhawks.

Quenneville had some more good news on the injury front regarding Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival, who has missed the past five games with a lower-body injury. Quenneville said Rozsival is now healthy enough to play, although it's doubtful he'll be in the lineup tonight.

Sharks veteran defenseman Dan Boyle could be back in the lineup after missing Monday night's 2-1 loss at Anaheim with the flu. Boyle skated on his own Tuesday morning, and Sharks coach Todd McLellan said he'll be in the lineup if he feels healthy enough to play.

Boyle has been battling the flu for a week. He missed San Jose's game against Anaheim on Jan. 29, played the next two games, then was out again Tuesday after a relapse.

Here's how the lineups could look Tuesday night when the Sharks face the Blackhawks at HP Pavilion:

BLACKHAWKS

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa

Patrick Sharp – Dave Bolland – Patrick Kane

Viktor Stalberg – Andrew Shaw – Bryan Bickell

Jamal Mayers – Marcus Kruger – Michael Frolik

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook

Niklas Hjalmarsson- Johnny Oduya

Nick Leddy - Sheldon Brookbank

Corey Crawford

Ray Emery

Injuries: Daniel Carcillo