Would I be surprised if agitating winger Adam Burish plays in Game 2 Monday night against the Vancouver Canucks?
No.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has never been one to hesitate making a lineup change when he feels his team needs a spark — or if they were just flat overall like they were in their lackluster defeat in Game 1.
“We’ll see,” Quenneville said Monday morning when asked about possible lineup changes. “We could make some changes.”
Burish said he didn’t know if he would be back in the lineup, and Dustin Byfuglien thought he would remain at wing.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that when I get back in the lineup what I’ll bring and what I provide,” Burish said following the morning skate. “I think that’s something that’s important at playoff time.
“I hope when I am in there, they all say “I hate playing against this guy. He pisses me off every time he’s in the lineup.” I think I can provide that and bring that.”
Burish played in three games in the first round against the Nashville Predators — and the Hawks won all three games.
When Byfuglien was first moved to wing, I played with the idea that Burish would remain in the lineup, the Hawks would start with five defensemen and move Byfuglien back to the blue line at times and if needed.
But defenseman Jordan Hendry got the nod in Game 1 over Burish, who played in every playoff game last year. Starting with only five defensemen is risky, especially in the playoffs. But Quenneville has praised Byfuglien’s versatility and has said before that he could see moving him from wing to defense during the course of a game.
Even with Burish in the lineup, Byfuglien could still pester Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo on the power play, while staying at defense during even strength.
Quenneville said he was looking for a more energized start to Monday’s game.
Burish could certainly provide that.
