Chicago Blackhawks try to stay sharp while they wait for playoff opponent

CHICAGO - Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says forward Dave Bolland and goalie Ray Emery will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Bolland and Emery practiced on Saturday, and both said they were feeling better and hoping to play when Chicago gets back on the ice. They had been out with lower body injuries.

The Blackhawks closed out the Minnesota Wild with a 5-1 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night and are awaiting the conclusion of the Detroit-Anaheim series for their next opponent. Game 7 between the Red Wings and Ducks is Sunday night, meaning the Blackhawks likely will not have another game until Tuesday at the earliest.

They scrimmaged Saturday in an effort to stay sharp, and Quenneville says he thinks it was their best practice of the playoffs so far.