NEWARK, N.J. – Ryan Garbutt will play despite not skating this morning and Corey Crawford will start when the Blackhawks face the New Jersey Devils Friday night.
Garbutt was just taking the morning off. Marian Hossa, meanwhile, did not make the trip. Coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful Hossa plays Sunday, when the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Quenneville added that Hossa, who has been out with a lower-body injury sustained against Minnesota last week, skated on Thursday.
The Blackhawks are coming off a somewhat frustrating 6-5 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues; they had a 5-2 lead at the end of the first period of that game. The Devils are coming off a 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders. Cory Schneider is expected to start for New Jersey.
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“I like the way they play,” Quenneville said of the Devils. “They play a fast game, strong and are positionally aware; not a lot of time and space. They keep themselves in games. They’re playing the right way both sides of the puck. We expect things are going to happen quickly.”
With Ryan Hartman reassigned to Rockford on Thursday, Viktor Tikhonov skated at right wing on the third line with Marko Dano and Tanner Kero.
Meanwhile, defenseman Michal Rozsival (left ankle) also skated with the Blackhawks on Friday. Quenneville said it’s possible Rozsival could play on Thursday, when the Blackhawks host the Devils at the United Center.