Hawks' Anisimov back at practice, hope is he'll return to game action Monday

Artem Anisimov returned to practice Friday at MB Ice Arena for the first time since going on injured reserve on Dec. 29.

The Blackhawks' center, was suffered an upper-body injury at Vancouver on Dec. 28, will not suit up against the Islanders on Saturday, but coach Joel Quenneville is hoping Anisimov can play against Tampa Bay on Monday.

"I just need to get that flow, practices and game-situational stuff," said Anisimov, who has missed nine games but is still tied for fourth on the team with 13 goals.

Anisimov had centered Patrick Kane's line for 20 games before getting hurt, but Nick Schmaltz's emergence might push Anisimov further down the lineup.

"Lot of options right now," Quenneville said.

Said Anisimov: "I just want to get healthy and ready to play. Doesn't matter what line. Just need to go out there and play."

Gustafsson in?

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson may see his first game action since being called up from Rockford on Jan. 9 when the Blackhawks host the Islanders on Saturday. Gustafsson, who has sat out four games as a healthy scratch, was paired with Brent Seabrook at practice on Friday.

"Looking forward to seeing what he can do," said coach Joel Quenneville. "Could play tomorrow night."

Gustafsson has not played in the NHL since his third-period turnover resulted in Troy Brouwer's game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Blackhawks' first-round playoff exit in 2016. Gustafsson played 41 games during that regular season with no goals and 14 assists.

Who's in net?

Anton Forsberg will start in net for the Hawks when they host the New York Islanders on Saturday. Forsberg is 3-6-3 this season with a .911 save percentage and 2.92 goals-against average.

This will be his fifth start since Corey Crawford went on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Jeff Glass has started the other six games.

Coach Joel Quenneville indicated that whoever is hot will probably stay in net.