Associated Press
The NHL roundup …
CHICAGO ó Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was asked this week if Dave Bolland should even play against the Vancouver Canucks with the Blackhawks trailing in the series 3-0.
Why risk using a guy coming off a concussion when the chances of winning a series seemed so bleak?
Bolland provided the answer Tuesday night.
Emphatically.
After missing 17 games, the versatile center was more than ready to play and showed what an impact he can have. Bolland scored a goal and had three assists as the defending Stanley Cup champs avoided being swept with a 7-2 win.
“A huge boost,” Quenneville said. “We certainly fed off his presence.”
With the Canucks still leading 3-1, the opening-round series shifts back to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena for Game 5 on Thursday night.
Bolland passed a final physical test Tuesday morning. He said he wasn’t that rusty.
Chicago’s Patrick Sharp scored two power-play goals in a chippy final period that featured pushing, shoving, jawing and a fight between Vancouver’s Kevin Bieska and Chicago’s Viktor Stalberg.
“All score related,” Quenneville said.