Keith, Handzus said to be 'fine' after missing practice

Friday, 05.17.2013 / 3:02 PM

By Corey Masisak - NHL.com Staff Writer / Blackhawks-Red Wings series blog

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CHICAGO -- Defenseman Duncan Keith and center Michal Handzus did not participate in practice Friday for the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center, but coach Joel Quenneville said both are fine.

Handzus has now skipped the past three on-ice workouts for the Blackhawks. Quenneville was asked if he is nursing a minor injury he can play through.

"I think he's fine," Quenneville said.

Ben Smith replaced Handzus on the second line during practice. The Blackhawks rotated their defensemen in and out of positions, but if Keith is indeed fine, the same six who played in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings are expected to be in the lineup Saturday afternoon for Game 2 (1 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS).

Viktor Stalberg remained on a line with other healthy scratches. He was not in the lineup for Game 1, which has led to three days of stories about why and when he might be back. Stalberg had nine goals and 23 points in 47 games during the regular season and had dressed for each of the team's 18 Stanley Cup Playoff contests in the past three years.

Here are the projected lineups for the Blackhawks and Red Wings for their Saturday matinee at The Madhouse on Madison:

BLACKHAWKS

Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Marian Hossa

Patrick Sharp – Michal Handzus – Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell – Dave Bolland – Andrew Shaw

Daniel Carcillo – Marcus Kruger – Michael Frolik

Duncan Keith – Niklas Hjalmarsson

Nick Leddy – Brent Seabrook

Johnny Oduya – Michal Rozsival

Corey Crawford

Ray Emery

Scratched: Viktor Stalberg, Jamal Mayers, Sheldon Brookbank, Ben Smith, Ryan Stanton