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Blackhawks battling lengthy layoff heading into Western Conference Final

Minnesota Wild v Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks gets physical with Jason Pominville #29 of the Minnesota Wild during the NHL game at the United Center on April 7, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

It has been a while since the Chicago Blackhawks last played an actual game -- a full week, in fact, as of Thursday.

The ability to rest up after sweeping a team, like Chicago did to Minnesota in the second round, can be beneficiary during the grind of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Players can get away and relax for just a little bit, and those dealing with injuries are afforded a little extra time to heal up.

But when the Blackhawks play the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday, it will be 10 days in between games for Chicago.

That’s a lengthy layoff, and has led Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville to turn to battle drills and scrimmages in order to at least try and simulate a game, as per CSN Chicago.

“It’s one of those things you can’t do,” Andrew Shaw told CSN Chicago. “A game is totally different, pace is always faster, more physical. [Do a] couple battle drills, some quick scrimmages to get the pace going, keep the legs fresh.”

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