SAN JOSE, Calif. – Marcus Kruger won't play but Artem Anisimov will when the Blackhawks face the San Jose Sharks tonight at the SAP Center.
Kruger is out sick. Coach Joel Quenneville said he'll see how Kruger is feeling for Thursday's game against the Arizona Coyotes. Anisimov, who missed Monday's practice due to illness, felt better on Tuesday.
Nick Schmaltz will get a shot with the Blackhawks' top line against the Sharks. Schmaltz has played much better since returning from a stint with the Rockford IceHogs. Quenneville said Schmaltz can't change his game just because he's now with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
"Play recognition, offensive play making and seeing plays is part of his game. You don't always have to be a disher. There's nothing wrong with taking a shot," Quenneville said. "We saw that last game; taking it to the net has got to be part of his game as well. But every shift is different. For me, just play your game, be respectful and you don't always have to dish it."
Corey Crawford will start for the Blackhawks. Martin Jones gets the nod for the Sharks.
BLACKHAWKS AT SAN JOSE SHARKS
9:30 p.m.
TV: CSN
Live stream: CSNChicago.com or NBC Sports app
Radio: WGN 720 AM
Chicago Blackhawks
Forward lines
Nick Schmaltz -Jonathan Toews-Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Tanner Kero-Vinnie Hinostroza
Andrew Desjardins-Dennis Rasmussen-Richard Panik
NHL
Defensive pairs
Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Gustav Forsling-Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goaltender
Corey Crawford
INJURIES/ILLNESS: Michal Rozsival (lower body), Marcus Kruger (ill).
San Jose Sharks (via CSN Bay Area)
Forward lines
Tomas Hertl-Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski
Patrick Marleau-Logan Couture-Mikkel Boedker
Kevin Lablanc-Chris Tierney-Joel Ward
Timo Meier -Ryan Carpenter-Melker Karlsson
Defensive Pairs
Paul Martin-Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic-Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon-David Schlemko
Goaltender
Martin Jones
INJURIES/ILLNESS: Joonas Donskoi (undisclosed), Dylan DeMelo (wrist).