Blackhawks' Hossa inching closer to exclusive 500-goal club

By foxsports
Published

Now that Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has eclipsed the 500-goal total, the eyes of the hockey world will focus on another veteran seeking membership in the exclusive club: Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.

Hossa snapped a 14-game goal drought in an impressive manner on Sunday as the soon-to-be 37-year-old tallied twice to increase his goal total to 493 in the red-hot Blackhawks' 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Hossa's offensive outburst certainly was a welcome one, as the veteran admittedly was struggling with keeping his spirits up in the midst of his long drought.

Via Chicago Tribune:

"It's something new in my career to learn being positive this long. When I was younger I tried to do a little too much. And I learned over those years when the puck doesn't go in, try to use your instincts to stay positive and eventually it's going to go in."

The multi-goal performance was the first of the season for Hossa (seven goals, 12 assists in 39 games), who will turn 37 on Tuesday. He mustered just five assists during his drought after scoring and setting up a goal in Chicago's 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 6.

Hossa, who also has 582 career assists, is seven goals shy of matching former Calgary Flames star Lanny McDonald to become the 44th member of the 500-goal club. 

Hossa will look to move a bit closer to the mustachioed McDonald on Tuesday when the Nashville Predators (19-16-7) visit the Blackhawks (27-13-4) at the United Center.