The Blackhawks’ celebration of their 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night was a bit subdued because veteran center Kevyn Adams suffered a possible season-ending injury during the first period.
The popular Adams went down along the boards and injured his left knee. He had to be helped off the ice by teammates.
“It looks like ACL and MCL, and he’ll be out for quite a while,” coach Denis Savard said of Adams’ injury. “We lose a great leader, but it gives somebody a chance to get an opportunity.
“He has been awesome in the locker room. He has been a great help for our coaching staff and we’re going to miss that.”
Adams, who is the Hawks’ leader on and off the ice, has only one assist this season, but he’s one of the team’s strongest forecheckers and brings Stanley Cup-winning experience (Carolina in 2006) to the team.
“That’s a big loss,” defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “He’s a big part of killing penalties and shutting down other teams’ top lines.”
Between the pipes
Patrick Lalime got the start in goal a game after replacing Nikolai Khabibulin in the second period of Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Nashville.
When asked if Lalime could wrest the No. 1 goaltending job from Khabibulin if he continues to play well, Savard said, “Too early to call. [Khabibulin] is our guy [but], obviously, I’m going to play the hot hand. Whoever’s hot is going to play.”
Lalime, a former No. 1 goalie with Ottawa, said he’s up to the challenge.
“My job is to give my team a chance to win every night and that’s what I intend to do,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to get some chances to play, so I’m looking forward to it.”
He stopped 24 of 26 shots against Columbus and now has a 3-1 record.
Bouncing back
Seabrook didn’t play in the third period against Nashville after Savard sat him because of ineffective play. The move appeared to have worked as Seabrook played 17 minutes Wednesday and scored the go-ahead goal.
“I wanted to prove to everybody and prove to myself I can still play and I’m a good player and just get out there and play my game,” Seabrook said.
One-timer
Sergei Samsonov was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game. Danny Richmond, Andrei Zyuzin and Magnus Johansson also sat out.
