Chicago Blackhawks Niklas Hjalmarsson Leaves Game Early

The Chicago Blackhawks most unsung defenseman left the United Center ice early in the first period while facing the Arizona Coyotes.

The Chicago Blackhawks were missing Niklas Hjalmarsson during their morning skate this morning which many thought was just a maintenance day for the Blackhawks defenseman.

Going into tonight’s contest, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville must have known more about Hjalmarsson then he let on after the morning skate because he dressed 7 defenseman which included Michal Rozsival.

The odd man out was Vinnie Hinostroza who got the press box seats, while Rozsival got some ice time for the first time in 14 games.

Niklas Hjalmarsson played only 3:02 in the first period, and that was all we saw from him tonight from the United Center.

Hjalmarsson only played 3:02 in the first. Need I say more? https://t.co/VzOgcsoTyZ
— Blackhawk Up (@Blackhawk_Up) February 24, 2017

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So without the Chicago Blackhawks most unsung player Rozsival had some ups and downs already during the first two periods.

Rozsival got beat badly on the 2nd goal of the game for the Coyotes when Ryan White shot the puck and then skated right around #32 and put in his own rebound. It was like watching time stand still with White skating right around Rozsival.