Anisimov may miss Friday's Blackhawks-Capitals game
Artem Anisimov, who left the Chicago Blackhawks' overtime victory in St. Louis on Wednesday with an upper-body injury, is questionable to play Friday against Washington.
Anisimov did not return after coming off the ice and going directly to the locker room with 5:29 to go in the second period.
If Anisimov misses the game, Marcus Kruger figures to move up from third-line center to play with Artemi Panarin and Marian Hossa.
"Unfortunate that he had to leave last night's game," said Patrick Kane on Thursday after the Hawks practiced at the United Center. "I'm not sure how long he's going to be out. Obviously, if he's missing, someone else has to step up."
Last season the Hawks went 2-1-2 without Anisimov, although those 2 overtime losses came at the end of the regular season with the team's playoff seeding secured.
Anisimov leads the Hawks with 8 goals and is tied with Kane for the team lead in points with 17.
"Obviously you're missing a guy that has had a tremendous start for us in all areas of our team game," Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said. "So, we're still hopeful that he could play."
Auction winner:
Kevin Karwowski, a 10-year-old from St. Charles, was on the ice with the Hawks as practice wound down Thursday at the United Center. His family participated in - and won - an auction last March that helped raise funds for Matt Olson, the Chicago Cougars junior hockey player who was paralyzed during a game on Feb. 21.
Karwowski, wearing a No. 88 jersey with his name on the back, passed the puck back and forth with Patrick Kane and Corey Crawford, and also took a few shots on net. He also had his own stall in the locker room.
Slap shots:
Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews did not practice Thursday. They all are fine and will play Friday against Washington. … After scoring just 13 goals in 2015-16, Hossa is on pace for 41 this season. … Blackhawks defensemen have just 4 goals through 14 games. Niklas Hjalmarsson leads the way with 2.