With a 2-0 series lead on Minnesota, the Blackhawks don’t need to rush any of their injured players back into action.
So, they aren’t going to rush ‘em.
That was the story out of Chicago on Saturday as the ‘Hawks announced they’d once again be without center Dave Bolland and backup netminder Ray Emery for Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal against Minnesota, set for Sunday (3 p.m. ET, NBC).
The news is a bit of a surprise, as it appeared the pair were inching closer to a return. They both traveled with the team to Minnesota and skated on Saturday.
But with the ‘Hawks comfortably out in front (granted, one of their opening two wins was in overtime), there doesn’t seem to be much need to get either back in action.
Michal Handzus has filled in well for Bolland as the club’s No. 2 center, finishing Friday’s 5-2 win with an assist, a plus-two rating and four hits.
Corey Crawford has been steady in goal, allowing just three markers over the first two games, and backup Henrik Karlsson hasn’t been called upon at all.
