Blackhawks’ Kane may need a sick day

For the first time this season, the Blackhawks may be without the services of Patrick Kane, who missed practice Tuesday with the flu.

Kane has played in all 36 games this year and is fourth in scoring with 34 points.

Joining Kane on the sidelines were Marcus Kruger (upper body) and Steve Montador (assorted ailments).

When asked about the status of the three for Wednesday’s game against Los Angeles, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville responded with the ever-vague “we’ll see.”

An encouraging note on the injury front came in the form of Daniel Carcillo, who practiced again and “looked good,” according to Quenneville, and may be in the lineup against the Kings.

30 is the new 29:Patrick Sharp celebrated his 30th birthday Tuesday by pronouncing that #147;I#146;m still 29 as far as I#146;m concerned.#148;Sharp said the only guff he caught from any teammate came from Jonathan Toews, who spotted Sharp riding the stationary bike.#147;He said he thought I was trying to ride the old man out of my body,#148; Sharp said.As far as any birthday pranks, Sharp, one of the best pranksters on the team, wasn#146;t expecting any to come his way.#147;I think I#146;m off the hook because people know if they mess with me it#146;s going to come back around to haunt them,#148; Sharp said.One guy Sharp doesn#146;t have to worry about for sure is goalie Corey Crawford.#147;I don#146;t want to test that guy; he#146;s pretty good at them,#148; Crawford said. #147;I don#146;t want to get on his bad side.#148;Are you ready for a newborn?How did 6-foot-8, 270-pound John Scott prepare for holding new daughter Eva, who was born on Christmas Eve?#147;I#146;ve been practicing with my football around the house,#148; Scott said. #147;So I can do one hand with the baby and (eat or) drink or watch TV with the other. It#146;s good; I#146;ve got big hands so it works out well.#148;HKN22803012Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Chicago, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) HKN