NHL

"I think you play until you can't play anymore," said Amonte who used Nathan Horton, who is playing through a shoulder injury, as an example. Amonte said he heard that Hossa told the training staff he couldn't play after testing his upper-body injury during the warmup and it clearly irked him. "You just don't see guys do things like that in the NHL," he said. "It sounds like it came out of nowhere." Hossa is considered "likely" to play in Game 4 though, according to Hawks coach Joel Quenneville.

Hossa was a last-minute scratch Monday night, but judging by Quenneville's comments after the game and this afternoon it sounds like he was doubtful to suit up in Game 3. Ben Smith, who took Hossa's place in the lineup, didn't warmup because Quenneville didn't want to tip his hand. If Hossa returns for Game 4, expect Smith to find himself in the press box again.

Bickell was a revelation for Chicago in the first three rounds, with eight goals and 13 points in 17 games before the Cup final. Against Boston though, Bickell has yet to even register an assist through three games. "I need to get back to being more simple," Bickell said Monday night. "There are times when I'm getting too cute and trying to make the better play. ' I still feel confident, I just need to stick with my game plan to keep it simple."

Monday's blanking means Chicago hasn't scored a power-play goal in 20 straight chances this postseason, which is starting to upset some of the players. "It's just time to get a goal," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "There's nothing more to say about it." Coach Joel Quenneville called the Hawks' man-advantage unit "not good" and it's hard to disagree with him or Keither. Chicago consistently had trouble getting pucks even into the zone to set up. Once the Hawks did get into the zone, they often made one pass too many or couldn't keep a bouncing puck in at the line. The absence of Marian Hossa was clearly felt, but it's clearly more than a Game 3 issue.

Smith was inserted into the lineup when Marian Hossa couldn't go after testing out his upper-body injury in the pregame skate. Hossa's absence forced Joel Quenneville to get extremely creative with his lines. Smith skated with Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland, while Jonathan Toews was flanked by Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik and Patrick Kane played alongside Brandon Saad and Michal Handzus. "It was kind of a wild night," said Smith. "I was just grateful to be a part of it, to get an opportunity. I just wish we could have gotten the win."

Hossa was a last-minute scratch after going through warmups and there had been some thought he was injured during the pregame skate. However, Jonathan Toews said the Hawks were prepared all day for Hossa to possibly sit, so it's obviously something that was lingering from at least Game 2. Coach Joel Quenneville said Hossa is officially day-to-day and is hopeful the veteran winger will be able to suit up for Wednesday's Game 4. We'd like to say we'll know more after Tuesday's morning skate, but chances are Hossa will be a game-time call again Wednesday night.

There was no reason given for the scratch, but the timing of it certainly was stunning. Hossa's absence will make a big impact on Chicago's lineup and could give Boston the leg up it needs in an otherwise dead-even series. Ben Smith will take Hossa's spot in the lineup, but coach Joel Quenneville will likely have to do some juggling to make up for Hossa's absence.