Lars Johansson trying to make the most of his brief NHL stint

NEW YORK — Lars Johansson spent a full decade playing professional hockey in Sweden, so his current stint in the NHL — no matter how brief it may end up being — has been something to savor. As a 29-year-old Blackhawks rookie, perhaps he even appreciates it more than the guys who come into the NHL as teens, or in their early 20s.

“It’s hard to tell, I think they appreciate it, to,” Johansson said. “But of course, I’m very happy to be here. It’s been a dream since I was a kid, and it took me a while to get here. Now that I’m finally here, I’m enjoying it. It’s a good experience.”

Johansson, signed as a free agent in May after being named the Swedish Hockey League’s Goalie of the Year after posting a 1.74 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage, was called up after Corey Crawford’s appendectomy. Crawford hasn’t been back on the ice yet, but is still expected to be back within the next two weeks. The Hawks have just one back-to-back set during that time, this weekend at St. Louis and home against San Jose.

Joel Quenneville has indicated it’s unlikely that Johansson gets a start while he’s here, but the goalie is trying to maximize his time in the NHL, anyway. With Scott Darling an unrestricted free agent after this season, Johansson (a restricted free agent) conceivably could be battling to be the backup next season.

“The quality of practices and shots is a lot better, and I’m just trying to take advantage of that and become a better goalie for these few weeks,” he said.

In the meantime, Johansson, his wife, and their 2-year-old son, Olle, are enjoying living in Chicago for the first time. Even though it’s been a little too cold for their tastes.

“It gets cold in Sweden, but not so windy,” he said with a laugh. “It’s the wind that gets you.”

Red-hot Raanta

Former Hawks goalie Antti Raanta made his fourth straight start ahead of longtime Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday. Raanta was named the NHL’s second star of the week after going 3-0-0 with a .984 save percentage and two shutouts, including a 1-0 overtime victory in Chicago. Coach Alain Vigneault has been riding the hot hand, and it has created a bit of controversy. Raanta was quick to point out that Lundqvist is still the undisputed No. 1 goalie in New York.

“It’s pretty special if you can rob games from Hank,” Raanta said with a smile.

Roster report

With Brent Seabrook back in the lineup, Michal Kempny and Michal Rozsival were the odd-men out in the Hawks’ eight-man defensive rotation. Trevor van Riemsdyk said the defensemen don’t talk much about the rotation among themselves.

“Everyone knows that they’ve just got to come to the rink and work every day,” he said. “Whether they’re chosen in the lineup or not, just be ready to do what you can to become a better player that day.”

Forward Jordin Tootoo also was a healthy scratch.

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