Dec. 22--Andrew Shaw has had Tuesday's game with the Stars on his mind for a while.
The pugnacious and vocal Blackhawks winger was asked Sunday night if he has his chirps, or taunts, ready for former Hawks star Patrick Sharp.
"I've had them all year," Shaw said. "I'm just waiting to see that guy again."
The Stars are in first place in the Central Division thanks in part to Sharp and former Hawks defenseman Johnny Oduya, who left Chicago for Dallas in the offseason -- Sharp via a trade, Oduya in free agency. The Stars came to Chicago for an exhibition game, but Tuesday they will play the Hawks for real. The schedule-makers at the NHL certainly made the teams wait for the showdown -- the Stars are the only Western Conference team the Hawks have yet to face.
But the Hawks have been keeping tabs on their former teammates -- and how well the Stars have been playing this season.
"The two of them are definitely fitting in with that group from the games I've been able to watch," captain Jonathan Toews said. "Obviously they're two guys on and off the ice we miss a great deal in this room. Other than Tuesday, we're happy to see them doing well."
chine@tribpub.com
