Quenneville eager for some practice time

The Blackhawks don't get a break in the schedule until after Saturday's game with Columbus, which will end a stretch of six games in nine nights.

After that the Hawks will have three days off their first three-day break since the season started before hosting Los Angeles next Wednesday.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville is looking forward to finally getting in some quality practice time to work out some of the kinks he feels still are there.

“So many games in such little days we haven't really had any quality practice time where we can work on our zone coverage or controlling or containing the puck a little more,” Quenneville said. “But that's the schedule we've got right now. We have to deal with it and try to find how we have to play, be it in video or in meetings or talking on the bench and reinforcing as we go along here.”

Quenneville basically has used the off-days to rest players, particularly defenseman Duncan Keith, who was averaging a league-high 30 minutes and 8 seconds a game before Wednesday.

Quenneville said he eventually wants Keith's minutes in the mid-20s, which might not happen until Brian Campbell returns from his sprained knee.

Keith was off to a slow start offensively with no goals and 2 assists in the first seven games.

“I think when you're playing minutes like that maybe you're not as engaging on the attack as you were or you'd like to be,” Quenneville said. “We're happy with the way he's playing and what he's bringing. We want all our defensemen a little more involved on the attack and in our puck possession.”

Serious trouble:

Canucks winger Rick Rypien was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Wednesday for grabbing a fan in the stands during Tuesday's game at Minnesota.

Rypien could be facing a minimum five-game suspension. He will have a personal hearing with NHL discipline chief Colin Campbell on Friday in New York.

“I think at this time I'm going to save my comments until after the leaguer does their investigation and they come up with a decision,” Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said prior to Wednesday's game at the United Center.

Rypien was not made available to the media.

It was the biggest story in the NHL on Wednesday.

“You get fired up in games and sometimes lose it a little, but you never want to see that,” Hawks winger Patrick Kane said.

Scott back on defense:

John Scott returned to defense Wednesday after three games at wing. Defenseman Jordan Hendry was a healthy scratch, with winger Viktor Stalberg getting back into the lineup.

Scott got only six shifts in Monday's win against St. Louis after getting three shifts Friday at Columbus.

“It is tough,” Scott said. “I don't expect to be out there all the time so you just have to be ready. Hopefully they can get a little more confidence in me.”