Keith talks, says he has apologized to Coyle

Three times in the last four years, Duncan Keith has been suspended by the NHL for losing his cool on the ice.

The question is, will his latest transgression - a stick to the face of Minnesota's Charlie Coyle that will force the Blackhawks' defenseman to miss six games - be the last time it happens?

"Well, I think I'm going to have to (stop snapping)," Keith said after the Hawks practiced at Johnny's IceHouse West on Saturday. "It's just knowing that line and I feel, yeah, I'm a competitive person, but I don't think that's something that I can't stop. I think I can stop that." Keith said he spoke with Coyle and apologized.

"I called and left a message and he called me back, so I was appreciative of that," Keith said. "It shows a lot on his part and the type of guy he is too. That's about it.

"They've got a good team and they're playing well. I wished him the best after."

Keith will miss the final four games of the regular season and the first game of the postseason.

The 32-year-old, two-time Norris Trophy winner is almost a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. These lapses in judgment, however, are starting to earn Keith a reputation as a dirty player.

He was asked Saturday if that bothers him.

"I'm not really focused on what I'm trying to leave out there as far as a reputation," Keith said. "Everybody wants to have a reputation as a clean, honest player. There's a line and a limit. It's just being smarter and knowing that."

The NHL's Department of Player Safety handed down the suspension just before the puck dropped in the Hawks' game at Winnipeg on Friday night, about four hours after Keith spoke to the league over the phone. He said he was OK with the number of games and respected the decision.

"At the end of the day, it's a fast game and it was obviously a reaction and one that I need to be disciplined," Keith said.

Moving forward, the Hawks will try and circle the wagons as they try and catch St. Louis (and maybe Dallas) in the Central Division race for first or second place. When the postseason begins, Keith won't be on the ice, though, and it's not something he's happy about.

"It's tough. Obviously you don't want to put the team in that situation," Keith said. "That's the tough part, but … we've got a lot of great defensemen. We've got a good team in here (and) we've had experience - whether it was missing forwards, defensemen, goalies that have been out - guys pick up the slack.

"Whoever we play in playoffs, it's going to be a tough series and … every game's going to be hard-fought. I'll be excited to come back for Game 2."

Scouting report

Blackhawks (45-26-7) vs. Boston (41-29-8) at United Center, 11:30 a.m. Sunday

TV: NBC

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: The Eastern Conference playoff race is coming right down to the wire, with Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit fighting for two of the last three spots. ... The Bruins just beat the Blues 6-5 on Friday, but even with that win they are only 2-6 over the last eight games. ... Boston could have three 30-goal scorers at the end of the season - Brad Marchand (35), Patrice Bergeron (30) and Loui Eriksson (28). ... Scott Darling will start his ninth straight game in net for the Hawks.

Next: Arizona Coyotes at United Center, 7:30 a.m. Tuesday

- John Dietz