Hawks' Toews, Eager out vs. Coyotes
Blackhawks OK Without Toews
The Chicago Blackhawks finally get back to action Thursday night but still will not have the services of Jonathan Toews or Ben Eager.
Both skated this morning in Glendale, Ariz., but were declared out for Thursday's game against the Phoenix Coyotes. For Toews, it was just his second day on the ice since returning from a head injury. Eager has practiced for four days.
This means that Jordan Hendry will again get fourth-line minutes as the Hawks will dress seven defensemen. It will be the same lineup they have used the past two games.
The Hawks will begin a back-to-back set against two of the NHL biggest surprises: Phoenix and Colorado. Those teams faced each other last night with the Avalanche winning 4-1.
Ilya Bryzgalov has been key for the Coyotes in the nets as has Chicago product Craig Anderson for the Avalanche.
Joel Quenneville invoked high praise on both goalies.
"I'm going to say those two guys are the MVPs of the league right now," Quenneville said. "Both guys are giving their teams a lot of confidence."
Bryzgalov and Anderson were named two of the stars of the month of October in the NHL. Even after last night's loss, Bryzgalov's numbers are impressive. He is 8-4 with a save percentage of .927 and a goals-against average of 1.88. Those last two numbers rank him fifth and third in the NHL, respectively. Anderson's numbers are very similar.
Unless Quenneville changes his mind, expect Tomas Kopecky to be the main guy in the slot area when the Hawks go on the power play. Kopecky was there in the victory against Montreal, and it paid dividends as he provided a screen for a Cam Barker power-play goal. Kopecky played in Detroit which means he learned from the best.
"I like it [playing there]. I learned from Homer [Tomas Holmstrom] a lot," Kopecky said. "It's a tough area, but someone has to do it, and I'd love to be that guy. I love to stand in front of the net and create chaos and screen the goalies. It's a fun part of the game for me."
It's not as easy as it looks, and it can be a bit dangerous with blasts from the point coming at you while -- even though the rules have changed -- defensemen are ready to hammer away whenever they can.
"You have to cover yourself and be in a good position to block the goalie," Kopecky said. "Sometimes it's scary, but its part of the game."
Quenneville did not discount Dustin Byfuglien continuing in that role but he has been impressed by Kopecky.
"I think Kopecky is great at it," Quenneville said. "He learned from the master in Holmstrom. It's a nice niche for him. There's an art to it and there's definitely rewards."
Jesse Rogers covers the Blackhawks for ESPNChicago.com.
