Nov. 08--Defenseman Michal Rozsival (ankle) has yet to play this season. Fellow blue-liner Duncan Keith (knee) has been out for more than two weeks and winger Marian Hossa (lower body) has been out a little longer than a week.
The Blackhawks already have been hit hard by injuries and have tried to keep from sinking in a competitive Central Division.
But in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Devils, the bug bit again. How hard remains to be seen, but it did claim center Artem Anisimov in the second period. Anisimov left the game and did not return because of a lower-body injury.
After the game, coach Joel Quenneville said he did not think the injury was serious and Anisimov has a chance to play Sunday against the Oilers.
Anisimov, who is in his first season with the Hawks since coming over from the Blue Jackets in the Brandon Saad trade, has been one of the more productive players for the Hawks this season. His steady defense and offensive productivity has anchored the second line. He has five goals and two assists.
"All the teams in the league go through injuries," defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "And once you have those injuries you have to try to find a way to battle through that."
Kero on the board: After Quenneville pulled Scott Darling, who had earlier replaced Corey Crawford, with 6 minutes, 42 seconds remaining, the Hawks scored on the man advantage at 18:34 of the period on a nice play by center Tanner Kero. It was Kero's first NHL goal in five games.
chine@tribpub.com
