Marian Hossa will return from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at United Center.
Hossa, 37, is tied for the team lead in goals (16) with Artem Anisimov. He also boasts four game-winning goals and ranks third among Hawks forwards in Corsi (52.5 percent).
Hossa will have a new linemate in Spencer Abbott. The Hawks called up the 28-year-old winger from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. Abbott recorded 21 points in 30 games with the IceHogs this season. He’ll wear No. 24 and play in just his second career game. He logged 5 minutes, 16 seconds of ice time Oct. 5, 2013 with the Maple Leafs.
Abbott spent last season in Sweden with Frölunda HC before the Hawks signed him in July after playing three seasons for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL.
Corey Crawford will start against the Sabres and Scott Darling is likely to be in net against Carolina on Friday for the second half of a back-to-back.
#Blackhawks lines:
Abbott-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Kero-Panik
Desjardins-Rasmussen-Hinostroza— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 4, 2017