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Havlat likely to return vs. Lightning

Nov 28, 2007 - 3:22 PM Tampa Bay (10-11-2) at Chicago (12-9-2) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - It has been a while since the Chicago Blackhawks have had a home game. They hope a return to the United Center can put an end to their recent offensive woes.

Martin Havlat is expected to return from injured reserve as the Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.

Havlat's return might be at the perfect time for Chicago, which was shutout by the Vancouver Canucks, 2-0, on Sunday. Havlat led the club with 25 goals and 57 points last season, but suffered a shoulder injury against the Minnesota Wild in the season opener.

After going 2-2-2 during their six-game road trip, the Blackhawks return home for the first time since November 9. They have managed just four goals over their last three games.

Rookie Patrick Kane has seven goals and a team-leading 22 points this season.

While Kane or the 19-year-old Jonathan Toews could pick up the Calder Trophy for Chicago, Tampa Bay has an early-season Hart Trophy candidate - Vincent Lecavalier has 16 goals and an NHL-best 38 points this season.

The reigning Maurice Richard Trophy recipient has registered multiple points in 10 of his last 11 contests, tallying nine goals and 11 assists over that span.

Despite Lecavalier's success, the Lightning have lost four straight games.