The Missing Blackhawks in Game 1 vs Wild

Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery (30) makes a save on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) and forward Kyle Brodziak (21) during the third period at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In most exciting game of the season so far, two pieces to the Chicago Blackhawks puzzle will be out of place against the Minnesota Wild. Dave Bolland and Ray Emery will both be out with lower body injuries as the first game of the Wild/Blackhawks series gets underway. Bolland has missed the last several games with a lower body injury and has played in 35 of 48 games this season. He’s listed as “day to day” but will hopefully rest and drink plenty of rat juice (that’s what I’m calling it) to amp himself up as the great agitator in playoffs.

Emery left midway through the first period of Wednesday’s game in Edmonton and has not been back since. He’s listed as “day to day”, and Blackhawks fans could use him warming the bench for his team soon just for added peace of mind. Henrik Karlsson will backup Corey Crawford in net for the time being, so all of that “goalie controversy” talk was fun while it lasted, but, c’mon, Crawford’s the man. Joel Quenneville didn’t really have to make a choice after all.

Do you think these injuries will make much of an impact in the first game? What about in the series?

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