Brouwer returns but Kopecky goes down in Hawks' loss

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Blackhawks got one of their injured forwards back for Game 1 when Troy Brouwer returned from his right shoulder problem, but they might have lost Tomas Kopecky for at least Game 2.

Kopecky left Wednesday's game after playing just two minutes with an upper body injury. Coach Joel Quenneville said after the 2-0 loss to the Canucks that Kopecky would be re-evaluated today.

Ryan Johnson, who was hurt in the third period, is fine, Quenneville said.

Brouwer still has pain in his shoulder from the injury suffered last week in Montreal that forced him to sit out the final three games of the season. But these are the playoffs and the Hawks needed Brouwer's experience and physical capabilities.

However, Brouwer had no hits in the game the Canucks dominated physically,

“I told them how I feel and they made the decision they felt was best for the team,” Brouwer said. “It was just making sure I'm able to protect myself when I'm on the ice. Any guy wants to come back earlier than they should, especially at this time of the year, but you have to make sure your body can handle the stress that may be brought on and you have to be able to protect yourself in case you get in a tough situation.

“I wouldn't put myself in a situation where I could hurt myself further.”

With Brouwer returning and playing on the fourth line, Fernando Pisani came out of the lineup.

Meanwhile, there was no update on Dave Bolland, who still hasn't been cleared for contact as he recovers from a concussion.

Bolland was instrumental in shutting down Daniel and Henrik Sedin last season in the playoffs.

“He's always a great player, but we have a few injuries too,” Daniel Sedin said. “I think it evens out.”

Finding an edge:The playoffs are all about momentum, and the Canucks now have it after winning Game 1.#8220;I think momentum is important in the playoffs and when you're starting fresh everyone is looking to get it first,#8221; Joel Quenneville said. #8220;I think in this series it will be important to keep it as long as you can.#8221;Match game:Canucks scoring stars Henrik and Daniel Sedin weren't concerned about who Joel Quenneville would attempt to have on the ice against them.#8220;You can't worry about what they do so much,#8221; Daniel Sedin said.#8220;We just have to play our game,#8221; Henrik Sedin said.The Sedins saw just about every Hawks line and were held without a point.It was no secret Quenneville had shut-down defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook on the ice whenever the Sedins played. Keith was a key to the series going in, needing to be more consistent in the playoffs than he was in the regular season.#8220;I think Dunc has gotten better as the season progressed here,#8221; Quenneville said. #8220;We need that pair to be at their best and to be effective and try to slow down the Sedins.#8221;Tip-ins:Roberto Luongo made 32 saves for his second career shutout in the playoffs and was named the game's No. 1 star...The Hawks won 48 percent of the faceoffs.