Blackhawks won’t have Keith to open playoffs

NEWYORK — The Chicago Blackhawks will have to start the playoffs without reigning playoff MVP Duncan Keith, who was suspended six games for “dangerously and violently” high-sticking Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle. Keith will miss the final five games of the regular season and the first game of the playoffs. While on his back on the ice, Keith struck Coyle in the face with his stick, an action Patrick Burke of the NHL’s department of player safety called “an intentional and retaliatory act of violence by a player with a history of using his stick as a weapon.” Keith has been suspended twice before, including for a similar incident when he deliberately hit Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter in the face with his stick during the 2013 Western Conference final. Chicago’s top defenceman, Keith averages more than 25 minutes a game for the defending Stanley Cup-champion Blackhawks.