||| IN BRIEF Toews doubtful for road game against Flyers
Center Jonathan Toews missed his fourth consecutive game with a back injury Thursday and already is listed as doubtful for the Blackhawks’ game Saturday against the Flyers in Philadelphia.
Coach Joel Quenneville said he won’t know how close Toews is until he returns to the ice — perhaps Friday or Saturday.
“Certainly you miss him in a lot of ways,” Quenneville said. “[ We’re] looking for progression there, and it’s status quo. He’s starting to feel better, and we’ll get a better idea when he gets on the ice.”
Quenneville said defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, out since Oct. 21 with an upper- body injury, could play Saturday.
Anisimov returns
The Hawks caught a break when center Artem Anisimov returned Thursday against the Devils after leaving in the third period of the 2- 1 shootout victory Tuesday against the Panthers.
“When the puck hit me, I thought it was going to be worse,” Anisimov said. “But it’s not, so I’m glad.”
After surviving that puck, Anisimov has an even greater appreciation for teammate Niklas Hjalmarsson, who takes shots like that all the time and rarely misses a shift.
“He’s the warrior; I don’t know how he does it,” Anisimov said. “Every game — amazing.”
Little Q
Center John Quenneville, a cousin of Joel Quenneville, made his NHL debut for the Devils. The 30th overall pick of the 2014 draft, John Quenneville was called up Wednesday from Albany. John’s dad, Andre, and Joel Quenneville are first cousins.
“It’s funny how that worked out,” John, 20, said after the Devils’ morning skate. “It’s crazy how it goes. It’ll be a fun game.”
He’s the first Quenneville in the NHL since Joel retired in 1991.
“Happy for John,’’ Joel said. ‘‘ We’ll see what happens. You get that first game — mom, dad and grandparents are excited and proud of him.’’
Local boy makes good
Devils winger Nick Lappin, who grew up in Geneva, played his first game at the United Center. Lappin’s father coached current Hawks Vinnie Hinostroza and Ryan Hartman with the Chicago Mission youth hockey club.
“I know those guys pretty well,” said Lappin, who made his NHL debut this season against the Hawks on Oct. 28 at the Prudential Center. “It should be fun to see some familiar faces out there. I’m really excited to get to play here.”
Lappin, 24, came into the game with four goals and six points and an even plus- minus.
“I came to a lot of games [ at the United Center],” Lappin said. “Growing up, I watched a lot of Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick, Eric Daze.
‘‘ They weren’t the pow- erhouse that they are now. Through high school, they were a lot better and more fun to watch.”
Rozsival hits 950
Defenseman Michal Rozsival played in his 950th NHL game. Defenseman Gustav Forsling, forward Jordin Tootoo and Toews were scratched.
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