VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Marian Hossa will miss tonight’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, having flown home to Chicago to address a family matter. There’s no timetable for his return to the trip, which includes stops in Edmonton, Calgary, Dallas and Phoenix before the Blackhawks return to the United Center.
“I think it’s OK, but I don’t know yet,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
The Hawks, already without Bryan Bickell, who’s back in Chicago with a lower-leg injury, will have to play defenseman Sheldon Brookbank at forward against the Canucks tonight at Rogers Arena. Michal Handzus, who has missed 13 straight games with an upper-body injury, rejoined the team and participated in today’s morning skate, but will not play. He could be back as soon as Tuesday in Edmonton or Thursday in Calgary, however.
“We expect him to rejoin us real soon,” Quenneville said.
Handzus — who spent his summer working his way back from significant knee and wrist injuries —was relieved to finally be back on the ice after a lengthy rehab that he said involved a lot of gym work, ice and massage.
“It’s fun,” he said. “I haven’t practiced with the team for a long time. Feels like two months. It was good to be out there.”
Meanwhile, Corey Crawford will start in goal against Roberto Luongo. It will be the 14th straight game in which Crawford has appeared. Backup Antti Raanta will play at some point on the trip, but Quenneville said Crawford’s experience and past success at Rogers Arena made him the logical choice.
“Crow went 36 or something in a row [in 2011] to get into the playoffs,” Quenneville said. “It was an amazing run. [This current run] wasn’t by design. That wasn’t in the plans that he was going to be playing all these games. Our schedule was kind of light, and now its really picking up. That’s why Antti will get in at some point on this trip.”
