Injured Toews to miss at least two weeks

Could 2008 have started any worse for the Blackhawks?

As if getting humiliated 9-2 by the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Tuesday night wasn't bad enough, the Hawks lost their best player for the next 2-4 weeks, possibly longer.

And it's not Martin Havlat.

Rookie center Jonathan Toews, who has emerged as the Hawks' best all-around player, suffered a sprained left knee early in the loss to the Kings and will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury.

Toews returned to Chicago on Wednesday and will miss tonight's game against the Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz., and at least the next two weeks.

Hawks coach Denis Savard told reporters following the loss to the Kings that Toews had sprained his medial collateral ligament, calling it a second degree sprain.

Toews was hurt three minutes into the first period along the boards, saying he "changed directions too quickly."

Forward Kris Versteeg was recalled from Rockford, but Toews is going to be impossible to replace as the Hawks' No. 1 center.

Patrick Sharp likely will be moved back to center from the wing, where he has been playing mostly with Toews and Patrick Kane. That would give the Hawks a lineup at center of Sharp, Robert Lang, Petri Kontiola and Jake Dowell.

Injuries have hit the Hawks hard lately and for much of the first half of the season.

Toews becomes the eighth Hawks regular to go on the injury list at a time when the team is battling to stay in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference.

Toews joins these teammates:

• Martin Havlat: Out since Dec. 22 with a groin strain after missing 22 games earlier with a shoulder injury, the Hawks are keeping their fingers crossed Havlat can play Sunday against Detroit at the United Center.

• Jason Williams: He sits for the 19th time in 20 games tonight because of a groin strain. Williams has been skating on his own and might return either Sunday or Tuesday at Montreal.

• Ben Eager: His concussion symptoms are improving and he could be back in the lineup soon.

• Dave Bolland: A broken finger has him on the shelf for at least another 3-4 weeks.

• James Wisniewski: Sidelined by a knee sprain, it could be 3-4 weeks before Wisniewski is back on defense.

• Brent Sopel: Down with a broken finger. Sopel's status is uncertain, although he would like to make it back for the Red Wings on Sunday.

• Kevyn Adams: Likely gone for the rest of the regular season with a torn ACL in his knee, Adams believes he could be back for the playoffs if the Hawks get there.

The Hawks will be looking to bounce back from their worst loss of the season tonight against the Coyotes.

Savard knew the Hawks would need to bring their best game on the road this week, but what happened Tuesday was a disaster starting with Nikolai Khabibulin's poor play in goal.

Khabibulin was pulled after the Kings made it 4-2 in the first period.

"It was just an off night for everybody," Savard said. "Lots of guys were not playing up to their potential."

Backup goalie Patrick Lalime was torched for 5 goals.

"No disrespect intended with this comment, but their goaltending wasn't great tonight," Kings coach Marc Crawford said.

The decision was made to recall Versteeg from Rockford rather than give Sergei Samsonov another chance.

Samsonov cleared waivers this week and has been placed on re-entry waivers by the Hawks. Teams now can claim Samsonov for half of his $3.5 million salary with the Hawks on the hook for the other half.

Tonight's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, 8 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: The Hawks are coming off 2 straight losses to the Kings, including Tuesday's 9-2 drubbing at Staples Center. It was the Hawks' worst loss of the season. Defenseman Cam Barker is expected to play after missing Tuesday's game with the flu. With Jonathan Toews going back to Chicago to have his sprained right knee examined further, Kris Versteeg was recalled from Rockford. The Hawks lead the season series 1-0, beating the Coyotes 6-1 on Nov. 30 at the United Center on the strength of Dustin Byfuglien's hat trick.

Player to watch: Patrick Kane. No Jonathan Toews and no Martin Havlat means Kane has to help carry more of the Hawks' offense.

Next: Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center, 9:30 p.m. Friday

-- Tim Sassone