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The Pittsburgh Penguins are in town tonight, including star forward Sidney Crosby, who is rumored to be in the lineup.

Marian Hossa will sit for the Hawks tonight, and may miss the next few games with what's being described as an upper body injury. The team has set a return date for Hossa for before the start of the regular season, so this inactivity appears mostly cautionary.

Tomas Vokoun looks to be in net for the Pens tonight. I had a chance to take in the Pens/Blue Jackets game on Sunday and I was impressed with 2012 draftee, California-born forward Beau Bennett, who will likely also play tonight.

The Hawks trimmed the roster yesterday. C David Gilbert has been assigned to the Rockford Ice Hogs. Blueliners Dillon Fournier (Rouyn-Noranda) and Travis Brown (Moose Jaw) and goaltender Brandon Whitney (Victoriaville) were sent to their junior clubs.

The Blackhawks also released a few training camp invitees, including veteran Wade Brookbank.

I received a scouting report on the Tuesday night's game versus Detroit that had the Hawk defense in top form, severely limiting chances from an albeit undermanned Red Wing squad. This fact, including the possible emergence of Adam Clendening, Klas Dahlbeck and Ryan Stanton as depth chips, positions the Hawks well for another long, successful playoff run.

The Hawks' on-ice system begins and ends with their defense.

Another player to watch tonight is 2010 draftee Joakim Nordstrom, who is making a hard push for Michal Frolik's job on the fourth line and top penalty kill unit.

All for now,


JJ

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