No surgery for Campbell, but Hawks confirm injury
ANAHEIM, Calif. - It was a newsy day for the Blackhawks on Tuesday that started with them confirming Brian Campbell's broken collarbone and fractured rib and ending with them on the stage of The Tonight Show posing for pictures with Jay Leno.
• The Hawks announced Campbell would miss 7-8 weeks with the injuries suffered Sunday when Washington's Alex Ovechkin shoved him into the boards from behind.
"Hopefully everything goes well and we can get him back," coach Joel Quenneville said.
That likely would be at the earliest for the second round of the playoffs should the Hawks get that far. Nick Boynton cleared re-entry waivers Tuesday and was paired with Niklas Hjalmarsson on defense at practice.
"I'm lucky for the chance to be a part of it," Boynton said.
"We'll get a chance to see him play," Quenneville said. "It's a great opportunity for him and it's a good challenge for our whole (defense) team. I think everybody should expect more minutes. It's going to be a good opportunity to see how they all fare."
The Hawks know it's not going to be easy to finish the regular season and start the playoffs without Campbell.
"We're all thinking about Brian on this road trip," Patrick Sharp said. "He's a good player back there for us. He's always got the puck and he brings that offensive element to another offensive pairing with Duncan (Keith) and (Brent) Seabrook. He's not an easy guy to replace."
• Dustin Byfuglien got some practice time on defense, a position he hasn't played in two years. But Quenneville said Byfuglien would be used on defense only if necessary.
"In games that could be an option," Quenneville said. "That's always in the back of our minds. If it's necessary to go deep like that he's certainly an option."
Byfuglien started his Hawks career as a defenseman before being moved to forward by former coach Denis Savard.
"I wouldn't mind going back there and trying it, but it's their decision," Byfuglien said. "If they make that call I guess I'll have to be ready to go back there."
• Goalie Cristobal Huet missed practice with the flu and Corey Crawford was recalled from Rockford for tonight's game against the Ducks. Quenneville said Antti Niemi would get the start, with Crawford the likely backup.
Marian Hossa, who missed Sunday's loss to the Capitals with an upper body injury, practiced and will play.
Defenseman Kim Johnsson didn't make the trip because of an upper body injury.
"He's feeling better and there's a chance he could rejoin us (Saturday) in Phoenix," Quenneville said.
• The Hawks were showcased prominently by Leno, who did a bit in his monologue with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Keith and Seabrook with their Olympic medals. Later, during a commercial break, Adam Burish and Byfuglien took the mike with the Tonight Show Band and sang to "Old Time Rock and Roll" to cheers from the crowd.
Guest Betty White even made a reference to the Hawks during her time on the couch. Leno stayed around after the show and took photos with the Hawks and their traveling party.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p>
<p class="News">Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center, 9 p.m. Wednesday</p>
<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Channel 9</p>
<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>
<p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> The Ducks likely will be without star forwards Ryan Getzlaf (ankle) and Teemu Selanne (shoulder), which is good news for the Hawks. Antti Niemi gets the start in goal with defenseman Nick Boynton set to make his Hawks debut in place of the injured Brian Campbell.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Season series:</b> Ducks lead 2-1.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center, 9:30 p.m. Thursday</p>
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<li><a href="/story/?id=366556">Hawks like Ovechkin's game, but recklessness? Not so much<span class="date"> [3/17/10]</span></a></li>
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