Seabrook doesn't travel; Saad injured in win over Jets
Brent Seabrook, a healthy scratch against Colorado on Wednesday, did not travel to Winnipeg on Thursday and is "undergoing further medical evaluation," according to the Blackhawks.
The announcement came at 3:56 p.m., about three hours before the Blackhawks-Jets began at Bell MTS Center.
"(He's) had a couple things nagging him and he's going to get them checked out," coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters before his team's 4-1 victory.
The Hawks also lost forward Brandon Saad to an ankle injury during the second period against the Jets. Saad, who was hit into the sideboards by Luca Sbisa, had to be helped off the ice after his leg bent back awkwardly.
Colliton said the forward will be out at least a couple of weeks.
Patrick Kane had a 4-point night against Winnipeg, assisting on the first 3 goals and putting an exclamation point on the victory with a wrist shot that found its mark with 3:21 remaining. The Hawks' other goals came from Alex Nylander 59 seconds into the game, Dominik Kubalik 37 seconds into the third period and Erik Gustafsson at 10:58 of the third.
"He's played very well the last three games," Colliton said of Kane, who has 19 goals and 25 assists. "It's not going to be perfect ... but he's shown a response and hopefully he can build on it."
Robin Lehner made 36 saves in net, 30 of which came in the first two periods.
As for Seabrook, he has missed four games this season, three due to healthy scratches. The veteran defenseman hasn't missed more than four since his rookie campaign in 2005-06 when he played in 69 of 82 contests.
Seabrook has 3 goals and 1 assist in 32 games and is averaging a career-low 18 minutes, nine seconds of ice time.
After the Hawks' 4-1 loss to Colorado on Wednesday, Colliton was asked if he risks losing the locker room by sitting a veteran like Seabrook multiple times.
"I think we've got to do what's best for the team," the coach said. "The guys in the room, I believe they want to win. So they've got to believe that every decision we make is to help the team win - to have success short and long term. That's all I think about."
Adam Boqvist, 19, appeared in his sixth straight game Wednesday since being called up from Rockford. He was paired with Duncan Keith against the Jets and picked up an assist in 17:03 of ice time.
Dennis Gilbert, meanwhile, appeared in his ninth straight game. He blocked a point-blank attempt by Mark Scheifele with about seven minutes remaining in the second period to preserve the Hawks' 1-0 lead. Gilbert blocked 4 shots in 17½ minutes.
The Hawks improved to 14-16-6 and are at Colorado on Saturday.