Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov has been one of the hottest players in the NHL in recent weeks, but the team will be without him on Friday night as he’ll sit out against the Washington Capitals.
Anisimov, who recently had a career-best 11 game point streak going, left Wednesday win over the St. Louis Blues with an undisclosed injury, and the ailment will keep him out of Friday’s home tilt against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.
Despite the injury, head coach Joel Quenneville thinks there is a good chance that Anisimov will return to the lineup on Sunday night when the Hawks host the Montreal Canadiens in an Original Six showdown at the United Center.
In 14 games so far this season, Anisimov has eight goals and nine assists, and he’s registered a total of four power play points during those contests. Primarily playing on the second line with Artemi Panarin, Anisimov has been a big-time playmaker for the Hawks’ offense as they’ve begun to hit their stride during a seven-game winning streak.
As for which player will replace Anisimov on the second line, there are several options that Hawks fans will likely see throughout the course of Friday’s game. Rookie Nick Schmaltz got some time as the center on the line after Anisimov was injured Wednesday, and Marcus Kruger and Vincent Hinostroza could also take the ice in between Panarin and Marian Hossa during the contest.
