Dec. 10--NEWARK, N.J. -- Patrick Sharp will return to the Chicago Blackhawks' lineup when they face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center.
Sharp, who missed 14 consecutive games with a right knee injury suffered Nov. 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, was activated off the long-term injured list and Joakim Nordstrom was reassigned to Rockford of the AHL.
"I'm excited to play," Sharp said. "It's been a long couple of weeks and its even tougher when the team is on the road becxause you dont have much contract with the guys, as much as usual anyway. It's nice to be back in the locker room.
Sharp wll slot into the third line on the right side while skating with fellow winger Bryan Bickell and center Andrew Shaw against the Devils.
"You just want to find a role within the team," Sharp said. "Take the shifts that you're given and do the most with them, We have a strong team in here. We've had a good team for a couple of years, We've won a lot of games. Hopefully, I can be a part of that."
Moving from the left to the right side and dropping from the top line to the third won't be an issue, according to Sharp.
"If you look at our roster over the couple of years, everybody seems to play with everyone over the course of the season (and) I'm no different," he said. "I've played iwth everybody on the team in this lineup. I've played all the forward positions and played defense on the power play so I'm comfortable with wherever (coach Joel Quenneville) puts me. I'm just happy to be back in there."
The Hawks have gone 11-3-0 during Sharp's absence.
"It's a lot easier watching when the team wins, that's for sure" Sharp said. "Knowing that the guys are playing well and winning games it takes a little bit of the heat off in rushing back. It's nice to be back with the group and hopefully I can keep the thing going."
