Chiropractors, take note: Scoring three goals in two games does wonders for back pain.
That’s what Eric Daze accomplished against Buffalo and Nashville after sitting out three games with back spasms. The winger now has a team-high six goals–in just 10 games–and scored twice Friday to supply some much-needed offense in a much-needed victory over the Predators.
Some minor discomfort still is present each morning. But the only pain Daze felt late Friday was seeing the game end.
“I felt great out there,” Daze said. “I was kind of worried because I missed 10 days and I couldn’t do a lot, couldn’t ride the (stationary) bike, so I was worried about conditioning. But the last two games, I felt I’ve skated better than before my injury.”
Daze, who still must stretch rigorously before games, received an unlikely boost Friday when Josef Marha returned to center his line with Jean-Pierre Dumont. Marha, off to a slow start, had been dropped to the fourth line.
Marha and Dumont each recorded two shots, while Daze had a game-high seven against Nashville.
“I think we have good chemistry on that line,” Marha said. “Hopefully, we can keep working like this because they can score and I can pass.”
Added coach Lorne Molleken: “J.P. looked more comfortable out there and was strong with the puck in the tough areas and showed composure. And when Daze is skating like that and shooting the puck, he is very dangerous.”
Tough call: At this point, it is extremely unlikely the Hawks will send backup goalie Steve Passmore to their minor-league affiliate in Cleveland. But rather than coming out and saying it, mum’s the word for now.
“I haven’t even thought about that,” Molleken said.
The idea began in training camp when Passmore and Marc Lamothe battled for the job to support Jocelyn Thibault. Talk surfaced the two goalies would rotate between Thibault’s backup and playing regularly in Cleveland to keep both sharp.
But Passmore now owns two of the team’s three victories and has also played solid twice in relief of Thibault.
“The guys have been playing so well in front of me,” Passmore said. “My job really has been pretty basic. Just stop the first shot and let (the defense) clear the rebound.”
Second chance: The defense as a unit turned in one of its better performances of the season against Nashville. Few were happier than Anders Eriksson, who rallied from a poor performance against Buffalo to finish plus-1 and record three shots in just over 21 minutes of ice time.
Eriksson and Molleken had a long talk after the morning skate Friday, prompting the coach to change his mind about scratching the defenseman.
“After the talk, I was satisfied he was mentally ready to play,” Molleken said.
Added Eriksson: “We’re on the same page. I deserved the talk because I’ve been a little slow in the beginning. Now we’re straight.”
