The Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup playoff preparation began without two key elements, as goalie Ray Emery and Dave Bolland were nowhere to be found when Monday's practice began.
Henrik Karlsson will be Corey Crawford's backup against the Wild on Tuesday.
Neither Bolland nor Emery will be on the trip to St. Louis tomorrow.
Emery suffered a lower-body injury on Wednesday. He won't backup Crawford tonight or go on the trip for the season finale tomorrow. He will head into the playoffs as the Blackhawks #2 option. Should Crawford struggle I don't think Joel Quenneville will hesitate to turn to Emery.
Ray Emery first off the ice. There's your #Blackhawks starter tonight vs. the #Oilers.
This will be Emery's first start since last Monday when he stopped 16 of 18 shots in a winning effort. He has a great matchup vs. the Oilers so he should be able to help you in the win column tonight.
Ray Emery will be in net tonight, coming off his shutout performance yesterday afternoon. #Blackhawks
Emery posted a 20-save shutout vs. the Predators last night and he will see them again tonight, this time in Chicago. Emery has been fantastic this season, posting a 13-1-0 record with a 1.95 GAA and .923 SV%. He shut them out last night, so no reason not to believe he can't win again tonight.
Ray Emery will start in goal for #Blackhawks vs. Predators.
This will be Emery's first start since last Friday. He has been all the Blackhawks could have hoped for out of a backup goalie this season. He is 12-1-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .919 SV%. He has a solid matchup today vs. the Predaotrs, but he will need to play well because he faces Pekka Rinne.
Emery posted a 16-save shutout in a 2-0 win over Calgary on Tuesday. He is now 12-0-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .920 SV% this season. He has a fairly tough matchup vs. a Ducks team who beat them last week. However Anaheim has lost four straight since that win.
Emery is 11-0-0 with a 2.26 GAA and .916 SV%. That is right, Emery still has not lost this season. He has a great matchup vs. the Flames tonight. Start him with confidence.
With Crawford playing tomorrow, very likely Emery starts vs. Calgary Tuesday
Emery will likely draw the start on the second night of back-to-backs. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville will be available to the media at 6:30 EST. He will confirm Emery or Crawford, but likely Emery.
Emery relieved Crawford in the Hawks last game during their first regulation loss of the season. Emery allowed one goal on 11 shots vs. Colorado and he will be back in the net tonight vs. a bad Edmonton team. Start with confidence.