Chicago Blackhawks hope to get C Andrew Shaw back in Western Conference final

CHICAGO - Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says centre Andrew Shaw should be back on the ice this weekend and could return during the Western Conference finals.

Shaw has been out with a lower-body injury since Game 1 of Chicago's second-round series against Minnesota. He was hit hard by Wild defenceman Clayton Stoner, and appeared to be favouring his right side as he made his way off the ice.

Quenneville says the team will know more about Shaw's status after he skates this weekend.

The Blackhawks practiced Thursday for the first time since they eliminated the Wild with a 2-1 overtime win in Game 6 on Tuesday night. The defending Stanley Cup champions will play again Sunday against the winner of the Los Angeles-Anaheim series.

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Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap