Blackhawks' Murphy could return for Thursday's home opener
Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy felt "really good" during practice at Fifth Third Arena on Monday and hopes to be able to play in the home opener against San Jose on Thursday.
Murphy has been nursing a groin injury, which he suffered during a preseason loss to Washington at the United Center on September 25. He traveled to Prague but did not play in the 4-3 season-opening loss to Philadelphia on Friday.
"The trainers advised to take a little bit of time off," said Murphy, who missed the first 30 games of last season with a back injury. "They were smart about timetables and everything. It was hard missing that game in Prague … but in the span of the year hopefully (I'll) forget about it quick."
The short-handed Hawks were also without D-man Calvin de Haan against Philadelphia. He received treatment for a groin injury that he's been dealing with since the start of training camp and did not practice.
"He is close," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "We just can't get over that last hump. So rest a couple of days here; (it's) kind of part of the plan to give him that last push. So we'll see."
Home, sweet home:
The Blackhawks kick off a season-long, seven-game homestand with their home opener against San Jose on Thursday. The six games after that are against Winnipeg, Edmonton, Columbus, Washington, Vegas and Philadelphia.
It's an important stretch, but it's also not something coach Jeremy Colliton wants his players dwelling on.
"After all their media sessions, we got to remind them," Colliton said. "Because that's the narrative; it can be. So it's our job - and the leadership of the team - it's their job to focus on what's important right now and that's the next game."
He said it:
"Jet lag's gone. Well, I think. I went to bed at 8:30 the first night, which doesn't (normally) happen."
- Connor Murphy on returning to Chicago after spending more than a week overseas
Slap shots:
Forward John Quenneville was activated from injured reserve Saturday and assigned to the Rockford IceHogs. … The Hawks won just 22 of 58 faceoffs (38 percent) against Philadelphia. Jonathan Toews was 8-for-22 (36 percent) and David Kampf went 4-for-13 (31 percent). The Flyers' Sean Couturier was 12 of 16 (75 percent).