Blackhawks searching for answers heading into stretch run

Posted February 22, 2015 10:00 pm

By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO (AP) - Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya will be sidelined for a couple weeks with an upper-body injury, and coach Joel Quenneville says Scott Darling will start in goal on Tuesday night against Florida.

Oduya was injured in the first period of Sunday's 6-2 loss to Boston. He played in each of Chicago's first 60 games.

The absence of Oduya, along with the uneven play by some of Chicago's other defensemen, could lead to a move ahead of next Monday's trade deadline. But Quenneville says he doesn't know if the Oduya injury is "part of the equation at all."

Darling was promoted from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Sunday night, and the club also announced it had agreed to a two-year contract extension with the rookie. The start against the Panthers will be his first NHL game since Dec. 13.

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford reacts after giving up a goal to Colorado Avalanche's Brad Stuart during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. Colorado won 4-1. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

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