The Chicago Blackhawks will flip the calendar to March before they see Johnny Oduya hit the ice again.
The defenseman will miss a couple of weeks with an upper-body injury, coach Joel Quenneville announced after Monday’s morning skate.
Oduya was injured during Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at the United Center. He played one shift before heading to the locker room shortly afterward and did not return.
The Swede has two goals and three assists through 60 games this season. He was one of just nine Blackhawks to not miss a game.
Oduya injury fallout
During Monday’s practice, the defensemen pairs in drills were Duncan Keith and David Rundblad, Kyle Cumiskey and Michal Rozsival, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook and Tim Erixon and Trevor van Riemsdyk.
Q on TVR: “He’s real close. We’ll visit with him before this road trip on what’s going to be next.” #Blackhawks
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) February 23, 2015
It remains to be seen if Oduya’s injury will change the Blackhawks’ previous thoughts on the upcoming March 2 trade deadline. Even with a healthy Oduya, however, the Blackhawks could benefit from improving their defensive corps.
[MORE: Blackhawks trade rumors: Chicago showing interest in Curtis Glencross, Andrej Sekera]
Oh, Darling
Scott Darling will get the start Tuesday when the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers at the United Center.
Darling was recalled Sunday night — along with Joakim Nordstrom — while goaltender Antti Raanta and forward Ryan Hartman were reassigned to the American Hockey League in Rockford. Darling was also given a two-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season.
Darling was 5-2 in seven games during November and December when he was called up after starting net minder Corey Crawford suffered a foot injury at a concert.
[MORE: Blackhawks call up Joakim Nordstrom, Scott Darling from Rockford]
Crawford confidence
Crawford started every game but one in February. Raanta’s relief appearance Sunday afternoon was his first appearance since his start against Arizona. The Finnish net minder was sent down to get more playing time, and will get just that when the Rockford IceHogs skate back-to-backs against the Texas Stars on the road. His first time back in Rockford will be March 6 when the IceHogs face the Oklahoma City Barons (Oilers) at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
The Blackhawks have three games this week, including back-to-backs in the Sunshine State at Florida (Thursday) and Tampa Bay (Friday). While Darling will start, Quenneville isn’t losing faith in his No. 1 net minder.
Coach Joel Quenneville said he “absolutely” still has confidence in Corey Crawford as #Blackhawks‘ starting goaltender.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) February 23, 2015
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