The Blackhawks are expected to be without forward Zack Smith for approximately 7-10 days due to a left hand injury, the team announced Friday.
Smith suffered the injury on his final shift of the second period in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks after getting cut by a skate blade. He did not return.
Smith has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 50 games for the Blackhawks this season and is averaging 11:47 of ice time. He’s been solid on the fourth line and was recently promoted to the top power play unit to help provide a net-front presence.
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With Smith on a 7-10-day timetable, he’s likely to miss roughly four or five games.
Matthew Highmore, who was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, is expected to draw into the lineup for the final two games of the road trip — Saturday in Calgary and Sunday in Winnipeg — if the Blackhawks don’t dress seven defensemen.
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