MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. -- Jonathan Toews was out with the flu on Friday, but coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful the Blackhawks captain plays tomorrow when the Blackhawks face the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
Hes making some progress today and were hoping he should be ready, Quenneville said. He made good enough progress that we anticipate him playing.
Toews practiced Thursday in Chicago but was absent during the teams practice in El Segundo on Friday. Hes the second player to have a bout with the flucenter Marcus Kruger missed two days early in camp with it. Quenneville said earlier this week that its something the team has to be mindful of, considering how the flu outbreak has been terrible this season.
Opening day we mentioned whats going on this year around the country, and lets make sure we take care of that, he said. Ive been around it where its devastated a team. You have to be careful.
Brandon Saad took Toews spot on that top line, centering Daniel Carcillo and Marian Hossa. But if Toews doesnt play tomorrow, it doesnt necessarily mean Saad takes that spot.
Thats something we havent even talked about, Quenneville said. We hope it wont come to a Plan B.
Corey Crawford will get the start in goal.