Martin Havlat of the Chicago Blackhawks is checked hard to the ice by Niklas Kronwall (55) of the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of Game 3 of their playoff series Friday in Chicago. (Jim Prisching/Getty Images)It's uncertain whether two Chicago Blackhawks will return to the lineup for Game 4 after making early exits in their team's Game 3 overtime playoff win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and right-winger Martin Havlat did not practise with the team Saturday at the United Center and are listed as day-to-day.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville isn't ruling out either player when the NHL Western Conference teams to take the ice Sunday afternoon, with Detroit leading the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Quenneville told reporters that Khabibulin, who suffered an upper-body injury and was replaced by Cristobal Huet in the third period of Game 3, wil be re-examined before game time Sunday.
"Khabi is doing better today," Quenneville said. "We'll see how he presents himself (Sunday), but there's been good progress."
Quenneville, asked whether he'd go back to the well with Khabibulin as his starter, didn't tip his hand. "We'll see," Quenneville said. "We'll make that determination (Sunday)."
Huet indicated after practice that he knew the answer to that question and said he expects to start Game 4.
"We're still optimistic that Khabi could play," Quenneville said. "It's nice having the decision that we will have to face as we go along here. Hopefully, Khabi is part of the mix."
Quenneville is also optimistic that Havlat, crushed by a Niklas Kronwall check 13:08 into the opening frame and helped off the ice, will be good to go.
"I thought Marty really looked good," Quenneville said. "Hopefully, he progresses in the same fashion and there's a chance he could play."
If Havlat is a scratch, Quenneville said Colin Fraser would be the next candidate to join the lineup.
