What Blackhawks' roster could look like against Oilers for play-in series

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With the play-in series against the Oilers in the NHL's 24-team playoff format approaching, the Blackhawks will definitely have their hands full with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have the first and second most points in the NHL, respectively. 

Outside of marquee names like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford, as well as the supporting cast of players like Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome and Connor Murphy, Chicago could use some of the impact players they lost to injury before games halted to give Edmonton a run for their money in the best-of-5 series.

There may be some good news for Hawks fans should play resume in that the duration of the NHL pause — which began on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic — may have allowed some of those injured players to heal and rest.

Rookie defenseman Adam Boqvist missed the Hawks final game before the pause on March 11 — a 6-2 victory at the United Center — while in concussion protocol from a hit he took the prior game in St. Louis. The Athletic's Scott Powers reported Boqvist is expected to be ready if and when hockey returns. The young defenseman proved to be a spark plug for the Hawks' offense at times.

Defenseman Calvin de Haan missed the majority of the season after having right-shoulder surgery on Dec. 27. He injured the shoulder on Dec. 10 in Vegas against the Golden Knights. De Haan had a chance to be one of the Hawks' top defenseman all season prior to the injury.

A source told Powers he's expected to be ready by June around the time the NHL is panning to hold small group workouts for teams in preparation of the 24-team playoff. Time may tell if de Haan has rust to shake off if he returns in time for the play-in series. 

Also according to Powers, it's likely Drake Caggiula is ready to return, but Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook and Zack Smith are not expected to play when the league resumes.

Caggiula sat out the Hawks' last game with a right-hand injury he suffered from a scrap against the Blues the game before. Caggiula could provide the energy, scrappiness, net-front presence and scoring ability that fans had gotten accustomed to seeing Shaw display. Caggiula had 11 points (six goals, five assists) over his last 22 games before the injury. 

Shaw last played against the Avalanche in Colorado on Nov. 30 and was placed in concussion protocol on Dec. 3. On Feb. 29 it was announced he was done for the season. 

Seabrook will likely require more time than de Haan as the three-time Stanley Cup champ had surgery on both hips and his right shoulder, but is expected to be ready for next season.

Smith missed the Hawks' last 13 games with a back injury. On the odd chance he was ready to go, the Blackhawks could use the veteran center's help in attempting to shut down one of McDavid or Draisaitl. 

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