Morning Chirps: Nazar injured, IceHogs get big win up north

The Chicago Blackhawks will have today off after returning from their 0-3-0 road trip. Tomorrow will be an interesting practice as this team is now down their top two centers and best offensive threats. Nurse your Bears win hangover with a fresh batch of Morning Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Jeremiah Lee had postgame duties for yesterday’s loss to the Ottawa Senators, which included Nick Lardis’ first NHL goal.

• Things have gone from bad to worse for the Blackhawks. Frank Nazar left yesterday’s game after taking a shot square to the mouth. Head coach Jeff Blashill said he’ll miss at least four weeks. With Connor Bedard out at least until January, things are going to get very interesting. Everybody is going to need to step up.

• The Rockford IceHogs found some offensive magic north of the border yesterday as they beat the Manitoba Moose 7-3. Brent Seney and Joey Anderson (Whoa!) had two goals, while Samuel Savoie, Ryan Gangier, and Rem Pitlick all scored once. Pitlick had three assists to lead the way with four points. Sam Rinzel had three helpers, while Kevin Korchinski, Gavin Hayes, and Landon Slaggert recorded assists. Laurent Brossoit made 40 saves to improve to 3-1-0.

• On this date in 1937, Paul Thompson became the first NHL player to score a goal on his brother in the Blackhawks 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. He spoiled his brother Tiny’s shutout with only nine seconds left.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 21: Peter Marsh, Steve Montador, and Malcolm Subban.

NHL Chirps

• While the Blackhawks have been brutalized by injuries of late, the New Jersey Devils have been among the hardest-hit teams by the injury bug this season. They’ll get a big boost to their lineup as Timo Meier will return today when they host the Buffalo Sabres. He’s been on personal leave for a little over a week to deal with a family matter.

• The Tampa Bay Lightning placed former Blackhawks forward Brandon Hagel on injured reserve. He suffered an upper-body injury against the Florida Panthers earlier in the week and will be out at least through the holiday break. He has 18 goals and 31 points in 31 games.

• The Minnesota Wild have been rolling of late. Ahead of their 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, they activated Jacob Middleton, Jonas Brodin, Mats Zuccarello, and Vinnie Hinostroza off injured reserve. They placed Zach Bogosian and Daemon Hunt on IR to make room for them. Zuccarello had two assists in the win, while Middleton had the primary assist on Ryan Hartman’s game-winning goal.

• According to Elliotte Friedman, former Blackhawks defenseman and assistant general manager, will be joining the Buffalo Sabres as an associate general manager under Jarmo Kekalainen.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 21: Joe Kocur, Petr Sykora, Jamie Oleksiak, Alex Iafallo, Cody Ceci, and Charlie McAvoy.