CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday that he is at least contemplating changes to his lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday at United Center (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).
Quenneville said defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and forward Bryan Bickell could play for the first time in the best-of-7 series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which is tied 1-1. He did not elaborate any further or speculate on who would come out of the lineup if they did play.
Bickell was a surprise scratch in Game 1 on Wednesday after practicing the day before and taking part in the morning skate. Quenneville said after the game that Bickell was dealing with an upper-body injury and he is day-to-day. He was also scratched in Game 2 on Saturday.
"I think he's healthy," Quenneville said.
Quenneville could be considering Bickell as an option because of his size and ability to create space for right wing Patrick Kane. Bickell has played with Kane and center Brad Richards in the playoffs.
Bickell has no goals and five assists in 17 games in the playoffs. He has 20 goals and 39 points in 74 career playoff games.
Van Riemsdyk hasn't played with the Blackhawks since Nov. 16, when he broke his left patella blocking a shot. He also had surgery on his wrist in early April. He has been practicing with the Blackhawks all series and has been a consideration to play since before Game 1.
If van Riemsdyk plays in Game 3 he'll likely replace either David Rundblad or Kyle Cumiskey. Rundblad has played 15:10 in the series, including 7:48 in Game 2. Cumiskey has played 10:09 in the series, including 5:08 in Game 2.
Some Blackhawks veterans said they would offer advice to van Riemsdyk if he's able to get into his first career Stanley Cup Final game.
"Just to enjoy it," defenseman Brent Seabrook said. "It's hockey. It's a game. They're big games, but it's just another hockey game. You want to try to take as much nervousness out of him as you can. I don't know what else you'd say. I think you'd just sort of try to keep him calm, let him play his game. He's a great player. If he plays his game, he'll be fine."
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