Injury Update: Dave Bolland And Ray Emery

November 4, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing

Brett Connolly

(14) gets the puck past Chicago Blackhawks goalie

Ray Emery

(30) and center

Dave Bolland

(36) for a goal at St. Pete Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports

Another day between playoff games and another injury update that Ray Emery and Dave Bolland are both doubtful for Thursday night’s Game #5 Stanley Cup playoff game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.

As stated a couple of days ago, Bolland and Emery are either hurt way more than the coaching staff are leading on to or since the Hawks lead the series 3-1 with a possible series clincher in their own arena, the Hawks are giving them both another day off in the chance that they can get 100% before the next series. It just seems strange though that every time you hear an update it’s that they are close to returning then on the day before the next game they are already ruled out for the contest.

Bolland has been injury prone for 2 out of the last three seasons and somehow he managed to play 35 games this season even though it feels like he missed almost the entire shortened season. Bolland may not have been needed so far in the Wild series, but with each passing series Bolland’s defensive annoying nature will be needed more and more. In 2010 he shut down the Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski line which is now a possible 2nd round matchup.

Emery has overcome a possible career ending injury but has been injury free for the most part during his tenure wearing a Hawks sweater. Luckily for the Hawks Corey Crawford has been solid for the entire series with the exception of one overtime shot.

I have the feeling the series lead is giving the Hawks the ability to continue to heal/rest these guys, How do you feel? Is this just extra rest when it is possible or do you feel these two are injured worse than the Hawks staff and reporters are telling us?

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