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‘Hawks put Hossa on IR, hopeful he’s back for Winter Classic

San Jose Sharks v Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks talks to a teammate against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on February 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Sharks defeated the Blackhawks 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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The injury that knocked Marian Hossa out of Chicago’s loss to Ottawa last Tuesday will sideline him for a few more games.

Per the Sun-Times, Hossa has been placed on IR with an upper-body injury. Having already missed most of the aforementioned Sens game and all of Friday’s 2-1 OT loss to Colorado, it now looks like the veteran winger will miss three more -- tonight’s game against Winnipeg, then road dates in Nashville on Dec. 29, and Carolina on Dec. 30.

The hope, it would seem, is that Hossa will recover in time to face the Blues at Busch Stadium on Jan. 2, for the 2017 Winter Classic.

Chicago certainly needs the 37-year-old in the lineup. Hossa leads the club in goals this year, with 16, and is averaging a healthy 17:17 TOI per night.

With Hossa out, the ‘Hawks look as though they’ll roll with a top line of Artemi Panarin, Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane. Jonathan Toews will center Ryan Hartman and Vince Hinostroza on line two, while Marcus Kruger will play between Dennis Rasmussen and Richard Panik on the third.

Four players -- Andrew Desjarsins, Tanner Kero, Tyler Motte and Jordin Tootoo -- are vying for spots on the fourth line.