Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson plays through pain on a nightly basis.
That tends to happen when you’re one of the leading shot blockers in the league.
But Hjalmarsson is still in so much pain after he exited Thursday’s game against the Coyotes in the first period that he won’t be able to play Sunday against the Blues, coach Joel Quenneville said.
Hjalmarsson’s upper-body injury isn’t considered serious, however. Quenneville listed Hjalmarsson’s status as “day to day.”
“He knows his body and he knows when he can fight through certain things,” Quenneville said. “Giving him enough time to get back to where he’s basically 100 percent is where we want to be. That’s why he left the game last game. … With him he can go through anything. But let’s make sure at this time of the year that he recovers from this.”
Hjalmarsson did not participate in the Hawks’ morning skate Thursday and left Thursday’s game after his fifth shift. Hjalmarsson did not practice Saturday.
It will be the first game this season Hjalmarsson has missed due to injury. Hjalmarsson was suspended for the season opener against the Blues because of a suspension for an illegal hit on Ty Rattie during the preseason.
The NHL trade deadline is Wednesday, March 1, so here’s a look at the best and worst Blackhawks trades ever.
(Chris Kuc)
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