Jokiharju back in lineup after 1st healthy scratch

SUNRISE, Fla. — There is still a long way to go but Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson is on his way to playing in all 82 games for the first time in his career.

He had his share of being a healthy scratch during his first two years with the Hawks just like rookie Henri Jokiharju was Friday against the Lightning. It was the first game Jokiharju hasn’t played in this season, and Gustafsson said there’s only one way to approach it.

“You just have to let it go and get to the next one,” Gustafsson said.

Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton made that happen when he put Jokiharju back in the lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Panthers.

“(Jokiharju has to be) a little bit more active as far as defending lines and gap and stick presence and all that defensive stuff that allows you to have the puck more, allows your team to have the puck more,” Colliton said. “He’ll find himself on the offensive blue line with possession more. We know he can help us there. We think he’ll respond.” Getting closer: The Hawks entered Saturday night’s game against the Panthers without a power play goal on the trip, going 0-for-5 against the Capitals and Lightning. Since Colliton became head coach, the Hawks are 2for-19 on the power play in eight games.

Overall, they are 9-for-69 and are ahead of only the Kings in power-play percentage in the league.

“It’s coming,” Colliton said. “We ultimately want to score but (our players) look much more comfortable on the puck with their options. And I thought last game we did everything but score. We think we have pretty good players and they’ll come through for us.”

Knee surgery for Davidson: Hawks defenseman Brandon Davidson will have right knee surgery on Tuesday, Colliton said before Saturday’s game.

Davidson, who has appeared in seven games this season, last played on Nov. 12 against the Hurricanes and went on injured reserve a few days later.

A timeline for his return will be determined following the surgery.