Emma: Marian Hossa's Hot Streak All About Confidence
By Chris Emma-
CHICAGO (CBS) -- More than a month into the new year, Blackhawks standout winger Marian Hossa had just two goals.
Such a slump for Hossa was becoming a concern. He's 36 years old had seldom encountered scoring skids. Was he on the decline? How much did he have left in the tank?
This has been answered with a resounding "no."
Hossa buried two goals against the Blues last Sunday, returned to United Center the following night to tally two more on his bobblehead night against the Coyotes, added another pair against the Canucks on Wednesday and then recorded one more against the Devils on Friday. Seven goals in four games. Not a bad week.
What changed for Hossa? What's his secret?
"I'm asking him every day," Blackhawks center Brad Richards joked.
Well, what is is, Hoss?
"I cannot tell you that," he said with a smile.
Truth be told, nothing is different in Hossa's game. He's the same freak-of-nature 36-year-old, a "Greek God" as teammate Kris Versteeg said last week.
What makes Hossa red hot is the confidence that keeps building. One goal leads to another, in a way. That puck goes past the netminder, and confidence builds. It's like Hossa becomes bigger, faster, stronger with each goal.
Instead, it's just a mentality.
"The feeling is great," Hossa said. "You've got that feeling that when you've got the puck, good things will happen."
Hossa's teammates have been doing what they can to catch his scoring fever. They're constantly encouraging, even just hanging around his locker stall to hope it rubs off.
This is just Hossa being Hossa. He was bound to snap out of the slump. He hadn't lost a step, by any means, and that shot hadn't become slow.
Hossa is one of the best in hockey at maintaining puck possession. He's quick and instinctual, something that can't be taught.
"When he gets the puck, it slows down the game and opens everything else up," Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw said.
"It's just what he does. I'd hate to play against him."
This hasn't been a career year for Hossa by any means. Of course, his absurd 43 goals and 57 assists in 2005-06 with the now-defunct Thrashers set the bar high. This season, Hossa has 17 goals and 25 helpers in 57 games, modest by his standards, but just what the Blackhawks need.
In the midst of a team slump, Hossa got hot. He ignited Chicago, which earned eight points in five games last week. All the Blackhawks need is for Hossa to be a guy, not the guy, and they'll keep winning games.
"Hossa's scoring was needed," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "A lot of big points we got from those games and his production."
Through the Blackhawks' locker room, the support for Hossa's hot streak is constant. "Stay hot, Hoss," they continue to say. Because there's no secret to the success, it's just a man possessed by the hockey Gods.
"It's a little bit of luck and more confidence," Hossa said.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
