Blackhawks use off day for rest

VANCOUVER -- After being physically out-played for much of Wednesday night's 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks elected to hold an optional skate on Thursday morning at Rogers Arena.

The likes of Fernando Pisani, Marcus Kruger and David Bolland practiced along with the black aces while Chris Campoli, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell and Michael Frolik were the lone members of the Blackhawks made available to handle the media duties.

"Rest is always good, they've done a good job of giving us rest," said Seabrook. "It's one of those things where we've got to take today as a rest day and get focused for tomorrow."

Added head coach Joel Quennville, "That's something we decided, we'll have a morning skate tomorrow, and be ready to go "

The Blackhawks have owned the Canucks in Game 2 of the series the previous two years winning 6-3 in 2009 and 4-2 in 2010.

"I think it's just game one you know? Last year they beat us 5-1 in game 1 and the year before they beat us (too)," Seabrook said. "We got to refocus and be ready for tomorrow's game and we got to come out with a good effort."

Tomas Kopecky, who took a big hit from Canucks forward Victor Oreskovich in the first period of the Game 1 loss is unlikely for Game 2 on Friday.

Kopecky played just 2:22 before leaving with what the team called an "upper body" injury.

Pisani, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, is likely to draw in to the line-up.

"I think Pi's got a good chance of getting in we'll see how (John) Scott looks," said Quennville of his line-up changes for Friday.

The news is better for Ryan Johnson, who was hit by former teammate Tanner Glass late in the third period. Glass caught Johnson with what appeared to be a knee-on-knee hit along the boards in the neutral zone.

Johnson did not play a shift the rest of the way, but is expected to be in the line-up tomorrow night.

Bolland, who has been out of the line-up since March 9 with a concussion, is still a ways away and is receiving treatment multiple times a day.

Chicago also made another call to the farm on Thursday recalling forwards Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri, Robert Klinkhammer along with defensemen Shawn Lalonde, Brian Connelly, Ryan Stanton and goaltender Alec Richards.