The Chicago Blackhawks are getting a major offensive weapon back for tonight’s game in New Jersey, as Patrick Sharp will play for the first time since Nov. 4.
Sharp, who’s missed the last 14 games with a knee injury, will play right wing on a line with Byran Bickell and Andrew Shaw. It promises to be a major boon for the ‘Hawks -- Sharp, a four-time 30-goal scorer, is coming off a campaign in which he scored a career-best 78 points and captured a gold medal while playing for Canada at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Of course, it’s not like Chicago needs the help.
The ‘Hawks are 10-2-0 in their last 12, all but erasing memories of their lackluster 7-6-1 start to the campaign. Their last loss came over two weeks ago -- a 4-1 defeat in Vancouver on Nov. 23 -- and they’ve ripped off six straight wins while allowing just eight goals (while using three different goalies in Corey Crawford, Antti Raanta and Scott Darling.)
What’s more, the ‘Hawks have defeated some pretty tough competition, as their last five wins have come against Anaheim, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Montreal and Nashville.