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Coach Q explains why Teravainen was scratched

Carolina Hurricanes v Chicago Blackhawks

Teuvo Teravainen

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After three games with no points and just two shots combined, Teuvo Teravainen was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks last night in Winnipeg.

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said he wasn’t trying to send the 21-year-old Finn a message; it was simply a matter of Teravainen’s play not being good enough.

“His game has been ordinary,” Quenneville told the Sun-Times. “I think he had a great training camp, started off with the top guys there, but he’s played all different positions. I think the one thing that he can bring to our team is, he has that ability to adapt to left, center or right at any moment. His pace and his speed to his game, that’s one of this strengths. And I think we want to find that level.”

Teravainen started the season on a line with Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews -- he scored in the Blackhawks’ first game -- but at five on five he’s skated mostly with Ryan Garbutt and Vincent Hinostroza, which may help explain his lack of production. His only other goal came on the power play.

After losing 3-1 in Winnipeg, Chicago plays in Minnesota tonight. The ‘Hawks have scored just one regulation-time goal in their last three games.