Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011
Posted: 10:55 a.m.Updated: 12:16 p.m.
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
The Chicago Blackhawks already had plenty on their minds. Now their thoughts are also with their head coach.
Coach Joel Quenneville is in stable condition and being treated for an undisclosed health concern, according to Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry. Terry said Quenneville presented severe discomfort Tuesday night at his home and went to the emergency room.
He was admitted to the hospital this morning. Terry said the situation is not of cardiac nature.
Any time you hear someones in the hospital its definitely scary news, said Patrick Kane. Hopefully we can get a win for him tonight and make him happy wherever he is. Its tough not to have your leader behind the bench. At the same time we can do special things and get a win for him.
Assistant coach Mike Haviland will be acting head coach tonight. Haviland will handle the forwards while fellow assistant Mike Kitchen is in charge of the defensemen.
NHL
The Blackhawks focus tonight, however, has to be with the Minnesota Wild. The Wild have a three-point lead on the Blackhawks, who need to start collecting points fast. Haviland said the team obviously had questions regarding Quenneville this morning, but that the team was upbeat and the mindset is where it needs to be.
We talked on the ice about how much this game means to us and not a lot needs to be said. They know, Haviland said. We put ourselves in this position and guys know whats at stake. I think were all professionals. We can all move forward. Our thoughts are with him and his family but certainly these guys know whats at hand.
Defenseman Brian Campbell said we should be able to handle it; weve had to adapt to different situations. Obviously there are differences not having (Quenneville) around, but you have to adapt and I think right now, with our position, we have to worry about tonights game. Joels in the best hands and thatll take care of itself.
Kane will play
Patrick Kane is still recovering from the flu bug that caught him late Sunday but will play tonight against the Wild.
Right now its tough to eat. Ive got to get something in me for tonight for energy, Kane said. I got a couple of IV bags this morning. I still dont feel great but hopefully Ill have enough energy to do what I want to do out there.
Haviland said theyll monitor Kane throughout the game.
Kane is the latest of the Blackhawks to get the flu. Corey Crawford, Marian Hossa, Fernando Pisani and Nick Boynton were among others whove had it these past few months.
Johnson better
Center Ryan Johnson said hes feeling better after suffering a concussion against the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Johnson was hurt on a hit by Stars defenseman Jeff Woywitka, which knocked off his helmet.
Johnson said he hopes to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
You get your bell rung a lot. Sometimes you can just dust it off, Johnson said. By the time we got to Phoenix, things were coming back. Ive had a couple good days.
Briefly
Corey Crawford will start against the Wild.
Fernando Pisani (upper body) did not practice this morning.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.