Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith missed Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild with an illness, and while head coach Joel Quenneville admitted he didn’t know whether Keith was sick with the mumps before the game, after the contest he was a bit more optimistic on the matter.
After, the game, Quenneville said it was "unlikely" that Keith had the disease, which has afflicted players on five different teams, and has fallen everyone from role players (Beau Bennett, Tanner Glass) to stars (Sidney Crosby, Corey Perry, Ryan Suter).
The Hawks have yet to have a confirmed case of the disease, but Keith’s absence from the lineup was enough to drum up speculation on the matter.
As for when Keith will return to the team’s lineup, Quenneville said the team was hoping that the defenseman would be able to join the team for their next practice. They won’t hit the ice in game action again until Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, so Keith should have another few days to rest up.
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