Hawks take another hit: Seabrook out tonight

Brent Seabrook, who has been the Blackhawks' best defenseman for most of this season and the NHL playoffs, won't play in Game 4 tonight against Vancouver as a result of the hit to the head he took from Raffi Torres on Sunday.

The NHL decided not to suspend Torres for the hit, which many Blackhawks have called a cheap shot. Torres will be in the lineup for Game 4 while the Hawks must go forward without one of their best players.

If you were expecting outrage from coach Joel Quenneville following Tuesday's morning skate, you were disappointed.

“To me, justice would have been served if (Torres) got a major and game (misconduct),” Quenneville said. “I'll let the other people deal with the other stuff. That was probably the exact call that was deserved on the play.”

Quenneville would not say if Seabrook was suffering from concussion-like symptoms. Seabrook kept playing after the Torres hit but left the game briefly after getting hit two more times right after that incident, including once more by Torres.

Seabrook was able to finish the game and told reporters on Monday he did so because he simply wanted to play.

Quenneville was asked if Seabrook, in hindsight, should have come out after the Torres hit to the head.

“He was evaluated by our medical staff and he wanted to play,” Quenneville said.

Quenneville hinted that John Scott would replace Seabrook in Game 4 and not recent call-ups Jassen Cullimore or Garnet Exelby. Quenneville said Brian Campbell and Chris Campoli would see more minutes with Seabrook sidelined.

“We've got some defensemen than can play important minutes, big minutes,” Quenneville said.

Dave Bolland will make his return after being out since March 9 with a concussion. Bryan Bickell and Ryan Johnson are also expected to play after missing Game 3 with injuries.

The Hawks are down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series and need to win tonight to avoid elimination.

“The pressure is on them to knock us out,” Jonathan Toews said.