Marian Hossa is expected to return from an upper-body injury when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday at United Center.
Hossa did not play in the Blackhawks’ games against San Jose on Dec. 20 and Dallas on Dec. 22 prior to the Christmas break. He missed multiple morning skates during the week, but played before missing those games.
Forward Andrew Shaw skated in Hossa’s spot at right wing on the top line. Shaw scored at 6:51 in the third period against the Sharks to send the game to overtime before Jonathan Toews tallied the game-winner. After a slow start to the season, Shaw has three goals and three assists in his last eight games.
Shaw will move down to the right wing spot on the third line with Bryan Bickell at left wing and rookie Dennis Rasmussen at center.
Hossa has five goals and 11 assists in 31 games.
Defenseman Rob Scuderi is also back in the lineup after he left the game against the Stars after taking a puck to the face. Scuderi told reporters he had to get “a couple of stitches” and has a scab on his face where the puck hit him.
#Blackhawks lines: Teravainen-Toews-Hossa Panarin-Anisimov-Kane Bickell-Rasmussen-Shaw Desjardins-Danault-Garbutt
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) December 27, 2015