Here's Johnny ... again.
Defenseman Johnny Oduya is set to play for Blackhawks on Thursday against the Ducks for the first time since they reacquired him in a trade Feb. 28.
Oduya missed the Hawks' last three games rehabbing an injured ankle that kept him out of action for most of the last two months with the Stars. He played in 219 games with the Hawks from the end of the 2011-12 season through 2014-15 before leaving for Dallas as a free agent.
"I was here a couple times coming back with a different team, but this is going to be special," Oduya said. "You have the fans on your side instead of against you. It's always an incredible atmosphere, fantastic place to play hockey."
Brian Campbell, another defenseman who is on in his second run with the team, said it took him a while to readjust to the Hawks' style of play. Oduya is hopeful for a smooth transition.
"Everybody is trying to accomplish the same things but have different ideas how to do it," Oduya said. "It's a little bit easier for me because I've been around here before.
"You get back into it maybe a little bit quicker and you know if you apply yourself you have the ability to do it. It's just a matter of putting in the work and just be ready to play."
Oduya's expected defensive partner, Niklas Hjalmarsson, is expected to return from a back injury, coach Joel Quenneville said.
"You're trying to be a good puck-possession team and be responsible defensively," Oduya said. "The goaltending is pretty much the same as before.
"It's going to make it easier coming down the stretch here to get into it. There's not too many changes."
