Talking with those around me during Game 4, we were all in agreement that perhaps Andrew Ladd had returned a bit too early from his injury. After getting a bit too aggressive in his opening shift and getting a cross-checking penalty in the opening minute of the game, Ladd looked tentative and hesitant to get involved physically in the play.
Things opened up a bit for Ladd later in the third when Quenneville changed the lines up, but overall Ladd just didn’t appear ready to have returned. That he took the place of Burish, who had been effective in limited minutes, was a bit frustrating as the Blackhawks were dominated for most of the game.
Some thought that perhaps he’d be out again after his struggles. After missing today’s morning skate, coach Joel Quenneville says that he’ll be playing tonight. Of course, Ladd won’t admit that things weren’t exactly on par for him in his first game back.
“I felt good,” Ladd said yesterday. “I felt more comfortable with the pace as the game went on. Towards the end I think it’s more effective.”
