Wild at Blackhawks
Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Chicago Blackhawks suffered another significant setback upon learning that Jonathan Toews will miss the remainder of the regular season. The reigning Stanley Cup champions look to get back on a positive run without their injured captain when they host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Toews (upper body) joins fellow superstar Patrick Kane (lower body) on the sideline as Chicago resides three points behind Colorado for third place in the Central Division.
Injuries also have been a common theme in Minnesota, as Ilya Bryzgalov has found himself in net with Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding and Darcy Kuemper suffering from a variety of ailments. The Russian netminder has stood tall in victories over Phoenix and Los Angeles to put the Wild in the top wild-card position in the Western Conference. Harding practiced on Wednesday for the first time since mid-January but is not expected to play anytime soon as he deals with complications from multiple sclerosis.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2, CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE WILD (39-26-11): While Chicago's captain is ailing, Minnesota's counterpart, Mikko Koivu, is riding high on a six-game point streak. The Finn collected a goal and an assist in Monday's 3-2 win over the Kings and has scored twice and set up seven tallies during his current red-hot stretch. Zach Parise also had a goal and assist versus Los Angeles and has five tallies in as many games.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (42-19-15): With Toews sidelined, Andrew Shaw is expected to be bumped to the top line while Joakim Nordstrom could see action after being recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. "We're certainly going to find out (about our depth at center)," coach Joel Quenneville told ESPN Chicago. "It might be an opportunity for some guys stepping up. I liked his (Nordstrom's) practice (on Wednesday). He'll get an opportunity in the middle. Play with some pace. We'll evaluate him as well."
OVERTIME
1. Minnesota has won three of four from its division rival heading into the regular-season series finale.
2. Chicago LW Bryan Bickell is expected to return after a six-game absence due to an upper-body injury.
3. Wild RW Jason Pominville has recorded four goals and an assist versus the Blackhawks this season.