Artemi Panarin missed morning skate due to illness but he could still play tonight when the Blackhawks host the San Jose Sharks at the United Center.
Panarin did practice on Monday but did not participate in Tuesday’s morning skate. Coach Joel Quenneville said there’s still a chance Panarin plays this evening. If Panarin cannot go, it looks like Jiri Sekac would draw into the lineup.
Sekac has played in just two games since the Blackhawks acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 21.
“He adds depth to our team and has some experience and is waiting for an opportunity and could play tonight,” Quenneville said of Sekac. “You treat practices like games, you get educated on how you have to play and take advantage when you get that opportunity. And hopefully he gets acclimated in games and in between games as well. But just be patient as well.”
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Corey Crawford will start tonight. Outside of Panarin possibly not playing, there aren’t any other lineup changes expected.
The Blackhawks return home after collecting three consecutive roadvictories. They’re facing a Sharks team that’s wrapping up a four-game road trip. The Sharks, who had a five-game winning streak in mid-January, have gone 4-2-2 since then. Martin Jones is expected to start for the Sharks.