The Blackhawks might be without center Artem Anisimov for the rest of the regular season.
Anisimov will be out three-to-four weeks because of a lower-body injury he suffered in Tuesday's victory over the Canadiens, coach Joel Quenneville said.
Anisimov was wearing a walking boot on his left foot after game, signifying a likely foot or ankle injury, and the Hawks sent Anisimov home to Chicago to recuperate during the rest of their road trip.
Anisimov was injured late in the first period Tuesday after he crumpled to the ice following a hit from Canadiens winger Alexander Radulov. He needed assistance to leave the ice and could not put pressure on his left leg.
The Hawks play their final regular season game on April 8, and Quenneville said the Hawks will "hopefully" have him back to play a few games.
But if Anisimov takes the full four weeks, that would run his recovery time to the beginning of the playoffs. Anisimov's injury will be a significant hurdle for the Hawks in their quest to win the Central Division over the Wild, who trail the Hawks by a point with a game in hand.
Anisimov was having a career year centering Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane. With an assist Tuesday, Anisimov tallied his 45th point, setting a career high. His 22 goals are tied for a career high.
With Anisimov out, rookie Nick Schmaltz is likely to get the first crack at center between Kane and Panarin. That combination has been productive Tuesday and March 1 against the Penguins, another game Anisimov exited because of injury. On Tuesday, Schmaltz made a slick pass to set up Panarin for a goal.
"I think both times when (Anisimov) went out I thought (Schmaltz) did an excellent job in that role and that spot," Quenneville said. "It's a great opportunity playing with two special players and he filled in. He was responsible both sides of the puck, had the puck a lot and did a lot of good things. We'll look for him to play that role in that spot and hopefully he can take advantage of a good situation."
