Goaltender Robin Lehner is day to day with a right knee injury he sustained during the Blackhawks’ 7-5 loss to the Canucks on Thursday in Vancouver.
Lehner had his right knee twist underneath him in the third period after a collision with Canucks forward Tanner Pearson. Lehner finished the game and allowed one more goal.
Here’s the play where #Blackhawks goaltender Robin Lehner injured his right knee with 5:04 remaining in the third period Thursday night against the #Canucks in Vancouver. He stayed in the game and allowed one more goal in Chicago’s 7-5 loss. pic.twitter.com/rOdmsa7rR6
— Brandon (@brandonmcain) January 4, 2020
Lehner’s right knee was wrapped in ice but he said it should be fine.
“They had two tips and two went off some bodies. It was really weird: everything bounced.”
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 3, 2020
Chicago head coach Jeremy Colliton said Saturday the team is still evaluating the severity of Lehner’s injury. Lehner, who did not practice Saturday, is 12-7-4 with a 2.92 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season.
Corey Crawford is expected to start when the Blackhawks host the Red Wings on Sunday. It will be Crawford’s first start since he allowed four goals on 20 shots in 30:40 and was pulled in a 7-1 loss to the Devils on Dec. 23.
Kevin Lankinen, who was recalled on an emergency basis from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, will serve as Crawford’s backup.
Lankinen made 30 saves in the IceHogs’ 5-1 loss to the Iowa Wild on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa. The 24-year-old, who was named to his first career AHL All-Star Game earlier in the day Friday, has allowed 18 goals — at least three per game — during his four-game losing streak. He’s 7-7-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 15 games this season.
It’s the second time this season the Blackhawks have recalled Lankinen, who was brought up Dec. 2 when Lehner was out with an illness.
With Lankinen up with the Blackhawks, Collin Delia is expected to start for the IceHogs against the Chicago Wolves on Sunday in Rockford.
Other note
Blackhawks forward Zack Smith missed the team’s practice Saturday due to a family matter.