Darling injured in morning skate, out 3 weeks
Add another one to the Blackhawks’ roster of injuries. Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said ScottDarling will be out for three weeks after suffering an upper- body injury at the end of the Friday morning skate. Quenneville said it could’ve happened on a shot.
He wouldn’t confirm whether Corey Crawford would start Saturday in Nashville. To take Darling’s place, the Hawks called up Jeff Glass from Rockford. And whether it’s in games or practices, the Hawks will get a look at Glass.
“With injuries, I don’t think there’s any good timing,” Quenneville said. “I think that’s all part of our game.”
As for the other wounded Hawks, Artem Anisimov participated in the morning skate and could play against the Predators, a much quicker turnaround than expected after he left the gameWednesday against the Penguins with an apparent leg injury.
Nick Schmaltz ( illness) also could play. Niklas Hjalmarsson ( upper body) should start
Hartmanfills in on top line
Ryan Hartman has bounced around the lineup all season and appeared to find a permanent home on the third line with Tanner Kero and MarianHossa. But with Schmaltz out, Hartman was the obvious choice to move up to that coveted top- line spot alongside Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik.
“He’s been good all year for us,” Quenneville said. “He has that versatility and played up there a bit already. He gives you a little sandpaper, as well.”
Hartman entered the game with 15 goals, all at even strength. Only superstar rookies Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, the top two picks in the draft last June, have more among firstyear players. Hartman also has a penchant for game- saving, lastsecond, diving blocked shots— he had one Sunday against the Blues and one last month in Dallas.
“He’s just making plays that make a difference,” Toews said. “Doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s scoring a goal or a fight or a hit or backchecking, Hartsy seems to be doing it right now.”
Kruger back on the draw
Marcus Kruger won six of 10 faceoffs against the Penguins. That’s nothing special for a guy who has won about half his faceoffs in his career, but it was noteworthy because it was the first game he took the majority of his line’s draws since he returned from a hand injury Jan. 26. Dennis Rasmussen, a natural center, had been taking the bulk of faceoffs for Kruger— who dealt with a similar issue when he returned from wrist surgery last March— when they were on the same line together.
“I talked about it with the coaches, but it was more my decision and when I felt comfortable,” said Kruger, who won 4 of 8 draws against the Islanders. “That’s been a big part ofmy game, and it’s a little bit easier being in your position right away [ rather than starting on the wing]. It’s only been a game and a half where I’ve taken a lot of draws, but that’s an area I want to help out with.”
Qpraises ex- Hawk Leddy
Nick Leddy, traded to the Islanders before the start of the 2014- 15 season, has turned into a top- pairing defenseman. He entered the game with 10 goals ( 10th in the league among defensemen) and 24 assists and is averaging nearly 23 minutes per game. Leddy was a third- pairing guy in Chicago and never fully earned Quenneville’s trust. But he has earned Quenneville’s respect with his play in New York.
“He didn’t get a ton of ice time [ with the Hawks], but you have to give him credit for how he progressed,” Quenneville said. “All of a sudden, he’s assuming [ top] matchups, important minutes. You love the way he skates and moves the puck out of his own end. He’s [ shown] some improvement to his game, where it looks like he’s gotten to the next level.”