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Blackhawks’ Rundblad told to ‘be ready’ to play tonight

Columbus Blue Jackets v Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets v Chicago Blackhawks

NHLI via Getty Images

Defenseman David Rundblad -- after playing more games in Switzerland than in the NHL during the regular season -- could suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in Game 4 of their series with the St. Louis Blues.

“I told [Rundblad] to be ready to get into the series today,” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said this morning, per Mark Lazerus of the Sun-Times.

Rundblad, 25, last played for the ‘Hawks on Dec. 13. He was loaned to the ZSC Lions in January, and proceeded to rack up 15 points (2G, 13A) in 11 games for the Zurich-based club. The ‘Hawks recalled him from AHL Rockford last week.

“He was always fine,” Quenneville told reporters. “He’s got real good play recognition, patience with the puck, he’s positionally fine. It’s in the puck area, defending around the net, that he has to get better at. He’s a good puck mover, has good feel for the game on the offensive point. Around the net, I think he’s made inroads and improvement in that area. He’s come back here, and he looks better.”

Viktor Svedberg is the most likely candidate to be replaced by Rundblad. Svedberg logged just 5:00 of ice time in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Blues.

St. Louis has a 2-1 series lead over the defending champions.

Rundblad in 2015-16 (via hockeydb)

Rundblad