These are tumultuous times for Martin Lapointe, but being the consummate leader, the veteran isn’t about to upset the atmosphere around his teammates.
The winger is scheduled to be a healthy scratch Saturday for the second straight game and the second time in his two-plus seasons with the Blackhawks when they take on the Los Angeles Kings.
“It’s tough not playing,” Lapointe said after practice Friday. “[Coach] Denis [Savard] has been really fair to me. He sat me down and told me what was up, and you have to be professional about it. You don’t have to be happy about it, but at the same time you don’t want to be a distraction. I’m sure the guys are behind me. I’m behind them.”
Lapointe has three goals and four assists with 47 penalty minutes and is a minus-3 in 52 games this season.
“It’s a tough call because he’s a great leader and he has done a great job,” Savard said. “When I look at our team, I have to take somebody out who doesn’t play power play and kill penalties [like Lapointe].”
Also in the back of Lapointe’s mind is Tuesday’s trade deadline. His name has popped up in rumors as his toughness, experience and leadership could benefit a team trying to make a Stanley Cup run.
“I’ve never been traded, and it’s going to be new to me if it happens,” Lapointe said. “I want to be here, but that’s the business part of it.”
Khabibulin hurting
Starting goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin left Friday’s practice with back spasms and will miss Saturday’s game. P atrick Lalime will get the start. The Hawks recalled Corey Crawford from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Friday to act as the backup goalie.
“You always have to be ready, and I’m ready,” said Lalime, who has won two of his last three starts. “You have to do whatever it takes mentally and physically whenever a situation like this happens.”
Savard said Khabibulin’s status for Sunday night’s game against the Ducks in Anaheim is uncertain.
Double play
Winger Jason Williams isn’t sure whether he will be able to play in both games over the weekend. He came back Wednesday night after missing 35 games following sports hernia surgery.
“It was pretty sore [Thursday] flying here on the plane,” Williams said. “We’ll have to see how I feel if I can go back to back, but if it’s pretty sore, I might not be able to do it.”
Savard said Williams also could drop to the fourth line and play on the power play against the Ducks if he’s limited after Saturday’s game.
Revenge time
Savard said he reminded the Hawks what happened the last time they faced the Kings — a 9-2 loss Jan. 1, their worst of the season.
“I reminded them … in case they don’t remember,” Savard said. “It was a long night behind the bench. We’ll perform a lot better for sure.”
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ckuc@tribune.com
