Trevor van Riemsdyk will likely replace David Rundblad, and make his postseason debut in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday at the United Center.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters Monday morning that van Riemsdyk and Bryan Bickell “could play,” as he had a big grin on his face, reports CSN Chicago’s Tracey Myers.
Van Riemsdyk, 23, has not played an NHL game since suffering a fractured left patella when blocking a shot against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 16. The rookie defenseman averaged 13 minutes, 32 seconds of ice time in 18 regular-season games for the Hawks.
Van Riemsdyk was recalled by the Hawks on May 22 after recovering from a right wrist surgery. He suffered the injury while playing for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League during his rehab stint for his patella injury. He had three assists in eight games with Rockford.
Van Riemsdyk’s brother James van Riemsdyk also was a rookie in the 2010 Cup Final for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Hawks.
Trevor van Riemsdyk got some advice from brother James, who also was a rookie in the Final in 2010. “Remember, it’s just a hockey game.”
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 8, 2015
Rundblad was a healthy scratch for the first two rounds, but in the wake of Michal Rozsival’s broken ankle and Kimmo Timonen’s ineffective play, he found his way into the lineup. Rundblad has averaged a little more than six minutes a game and recorded no points in five games this postseason.
Bickell had vertigo, draws back in lineup
Bickell is back in the lineup after dealing with vertigo since Game 7 of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks, reports Chicago Sun-Times’ Mark Lazerus.
Bryan Bickell said the vertigo hit the day before Game 7 in Anaheim: “I was just like, ‘what’s going on? What’s going on?’ ” #Blackhawks
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 8, 2015
Bryan Bickell never had vertigo before: “It was tough sitting out and just saying you had vertigo. I’m happy it’s gone and I’m ready to go.”
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 8, 2015
Bickell: “Yeah, it was vertigo. Tough playing when you’re dizzy. I feel 100 percent ready to come back into the lineup.” #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) June 8, 2015
Kris Versteeg skated in Bickell’s spot on the second line during his absence. Versteeg has one goal in nine games this postseason, while Bickell has no goals and five assists in 17 appearances this spring.
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