Blackhawks' Kris Versteeg expected to play in Game 5 vs. Lightning

Kris Versteeg is expected to play when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 on Saturday in Tampa Bay at Amalie Arena.

During the Hawks morning skate Friday, Versteeg skated at left wing along side Antoine Vermette and Teuvo Teravainen, while Bryan Bickell accompanied Joakim Nordstrom and Daniel Carcillo on the white sweater line, indicating he will not play.

Here are the lines from the morning skate:

#Blackhawks lines at practice: Sharp-Toews-Hossa; Saad-Richards-Kane; Versteeg-Vermette-Teravainen; Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) June 12, 2015

So ... #Blackhawks D pairings: Keith-Hjalmarsson; Oduya-van Riemsdyk; Timonen-Seabrook

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) June 12, 2015

Versteeg replaced Bickell in Game 4 after not playing in Game 3. He averaged 9:28 of ice time in the first two games of the series, and one shot on net. He logged 7:58 of ice time with one shot in Game 4.

Versteeg has one goal in 10 games this postseason, while Bickell has five assists in 17 appearances this spring.

Timonen also drew into the lineup in Game 4, replacing Kyle Cumiskey. The 40-year-old veteran had not played since Game 5 of the conference final, and logged 5:46 of ice time with one shot that rang off the post in the third period.

The Hawks will travel to Tampa Bay on Friday afternoon for Game 5. Since 2009, the Hawks are 9-0 in the playoffs when a series is tied 2-2, and are 18-1 in those games.

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