OTTAWA -- The Chicago Blackhawks will be without Bryan Bickell for a fifth consecutive game when they take on the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.
Bickell suffered an upper-body injury from what he termed an “innocent hit” initiated by him during a game against the St. Louis Blues on March 19.
“I thought Bick was playing his best hockey all year,” said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, who hopes to have his big forward back for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “His presence, physicality, forecheck and speed, his shot, disruption of the forecheck, he made a difference in the game, so we're hoping he comes back at the same pace.
“He's close (to returning). We'll see how he is for the Sunday game.”
Prospect Teuvo Teravainen comes out of the lineup after playing his first two NHL games for the Blackhawks. Quenneville said Teravainen, who was playing in the Finnish league, is still adjusting to the NHL style of play.
That could pave the way for Matt Carey to make his NHL debut against the Senators.
“We're going to try something,” Quenneville said, without tipping his hand.
It's also expected that Jeremy Morin will come out and be replaced by former Senators forward Peter Regin.
Antti Raanta will start in goal tonight for Chicago against former Blackhawk Craig Anderson, a native of Park Ridge, Ill.
Injury update: Quenneville said injured defenseman Michal Rozsival has started to skate “in the last day or two” and could be back for the Minnesota game Thursday. ... Forward Patrick Kane has not tested his knee by skating yet, but is “right on course,” Quenneville said.
