"Just as the Blackhawks looked to be shrugging off their inconsistency, they were dealt another blow Monday that might force them to juggle their lineup.

Marian Hossa was helped off the ice at Johnny's Icehouse West after he and defenseman Nick Boynton collided midway through practice. The winger didn't return, and the Hawks didn't disclose the extent of the injury. Hossa and Boynton stayed down for several minutes. Hossa was assisted off the ice and seemed to be keeping weight off his right leg.

''I was facing backward ... so I'm not sure what happened,'' said Boynton, who resumed practice after the collision. ''I just kind of got the wind knocked out of me. I'm not sure if he got the worse end of the stick or what happened. We both obviously didn't see each other, I don't think. So I'm not sure what's up with him.''"