Artem Anisimov will miss a second straight game for the Chicago Blackhawks when they host Ottawa tonight.
Anisimov was forced to leave Saturday’s game in St. Louis with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old center missed Sunday’s 4-1 win over San Jose at United Center. His status is day-to-day.
Tonight against the Senators, Vinnie Hinostroza is expected to remain in Anisimov’s second-line center spot. Hinostroza scored against the Sharks. He also assisted on a Ryan Hartman goal.
Jonathan Toews, meanwhile, is expected to center Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane.
The Blackhawks have been relatively healthy this season, but have endured a couple of key injuries extremely well. When Toews missed nine games, they went 5-2-2. Without Corey Crawford (appendectomy), they’ve gone 6-2-1.
Crawford, by the way, is expected to start Friday against the Avalanche.
#Blackhawks lines:
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) December 20, 2016
Panarin-Toews-Kane
Hartman-Hinostroza-Hossa
Rasmussen-Kruger-Panik
Motte-Desjardins-Tootoo