Campbell faces former mates with no regrets
The San Jose Sharks were unable to match the Blackhawks' offer to free-agent defenseman Brian Campbell over the summer, but the Sharks are faring just fine without him. They take the best record in the Western Conference (14-3-1) into the game tonight at the United Center against Campbell and the Hawks, who have points in all 10 of their home games (6-0-4).
Sharks beat Blackhawks 6-5
Devin Setoguchi's power-play goal with 4:15 left gave the San Jose Sharks a 6-5 victory over Chicago on Sunday night, the Blackhawks' first home loss in regulation this season. Setoguchi, who also had an assist, scored on a screened shot from the high slot.
First loss in OT really smarts
It could have been a banner night for Dave Bolland, the Blackhawks' third-line center. He scored his first two goals of the season and assisted on his team's other goal. In the end, though, a debatable hooking call on Bolland led to the Hawks' 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues before 22,260 at the United Center.
Hawks notes
Now there are just two Blackhawks forwards without a goal this season. Third-line center
Dave Bolland got his first goal 6:05 into the second period Friday and added another early in the third period. That leaves
Adam Burish and little-used
Craig Adams as the lone forwards without a goal. Last season, as a rookie, Bolland had four goals in 40 games. ... Coach
Joel Quenneville's decision to start
Nikolai Khabibulin in goal for the second straight game is no indication he's about to scrap the rotation system that has worked so well. Khabibulin made his ninth start Friday.
Cristobal Huet has started six times. ''It's a situation where, basically, we're rotating goalies,'' Quenneville said. ''We play 10 games in a short time, so they'll each probably get five games.'' ... Hawks defenseman
Matt Walker spent parts of the last five seasons with the Blues, and Blues winger
David Koci was the Hawks' enforcer for parts of the last two seasons. Walker was a healthy scratch because
Brent Sopel had recovered from his undisclosed injury. Walker had played in the previous two games. Adams was the other scratch. He has played in only one of the last 12 games. ... General manager
Dale Tallon confirmed he has had talks with the agents of
Mats Sundin and
Brendan Shanahan, but he hasn't communicated with
Peter Forsberg. All three stars are contemplating a return to the NHL. ... Defenseman
Keith Carney, who played for the Hawks when they moved to the United Center in 1994, then tried to make the club again in this year's training camp, announced his retirement after failing to hook on with another team. ... The Hawks will begin a get-out-the-vote campaign for All-Star Game nominees
Patrick Kane,
Jonathan Toews and
Brian Campbell at Sunday's home game against the San Jose Sharks. The first 5,000 fans will receive posters boosting the candidacies of the trio. Poster giveaways will be held at home games Dec. 7, Dec. 10 and Dec. 14.
