Blackhawks' Andrew Ladd game-time decision for Game 1 as wife goes into labor

Andrew Ladd is a game-time decision for Game 1 of the Chicago Blackhawks' playoff series against the St. Louis Blues because of his wife, Brandy, went into labor with their third child Wednesday, reports Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune.

Ladd told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times that the baby wasn't due until May 23. It seems the baby had other plans for a playoff push.

Coach Joel Quenneville said after Wednesday's morning skate that Ladd would try to rejoin the team in time for the 8:42 p.m. CT puck drop. Ladd has scored eight goals with four assists since being acquired near the trade deadline from Winnipeg. He has eight goals and 15 points in 53 playoff appearances with Chicago.

If Ladd is unable to make it, winger Richard Panik would draw into the lineup on the top line at left wing alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. Panik has six goals and two assists in 30 games since being acquired from Toronto. But his playoff experience is limited to just 30 minutes in two games for Tampa Bay in 2014.

The Hawks are already without defenseman Duncan Keith, who is serving the final game of his six-game suspension.

Panik-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Mashinter-Teravainen-Fleischmann
Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw.
No Ladd here

— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) April 13, 2016