Darryl Sutter does have one New Year`s resolution. Actually, two, since he repeated it.
”Patience, patience,” said the Blackhawks coach, who can be a little high-strung and too demanding at times.
But he also has a sarcastic and biting sense of humor when he settles down. ”Everything else,” he added after asking for patience, ”I`m almost perfect at.”
Wait a minute: Don`t blame goalie Jimmy Waite too much for being 1-2 in his last three starts. The Hawks have scored three goals for him in these three games.
More Top Picks Best Robotic Lawn Mowers For Small Yards
Waite beat Montreal 2-0 before losing 3-1 to Philadelphia and 4-0 Sunday against Detroit.
Remember when: Tim Cheveldae`s shutout of the Hawks Sunday in the Stadium was the first in Chicago by a Detroit Red Wing goalie since March 21, 1976. Ed Giacomin won that one 6-0.
Virus strain: Center Mike Hudson is battling a virus that will sideline him indefinitely, Sutter said.
”It`s like mononucleosis,” he explained. ”The doctors want him to do nothing until they check him again next Monday.”
Coming close: Sutter is hoping Michel Goulet can return to action Thursday night when the Hawks host Tampa Bay. The winger has been out since Dec. 10 with a groin pull. He will missed his ninth straight game Tuesday night in Detroit. But he made the trip and, if everything goes well for him in a Wednesday morning practice at Joe Louis Arena, Goulet could lace up the skates again for the Lightning game and play with Jeremy Roenick and Steve Larmer.
Not yet: Alexandr Andrievski was returned to Indianapolis after he played his first game as a Hawk Sunday against Detroit. The 6-foot-5-inch right wing made no impact, but neither did anyone else.
”We just wanted to have a look at him,” Sutter said. ”I believe in the reward system, and the team in Indy isn`t doing well enough for any player to stay here with us for a long period of time.”