The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to return to the .500 mark on Monday night in Toronto. After losing 3-2 on Saturday night in Montreal, the Blackhawks had a strong start in the first period of Monday's contest. However, before the end of the period, defenseman Nikita Zaitsev took an awkward hit from Toronto's Noah Gregor, resulting in his exit from the game.
Following the hit, Connor Murphy answered the bell for Zaitsev and dropped the gloves with Gregor. Entering the second period, the Blackhawks may be down to four defensemen to start the period.
Zaitsev awkwardly hit his head on the ledge where the boards meet the glass behind Chicago's net. After remaining down on the ice for a few minutes, he left for the Hawks' dressing room. We'll update this article once more on Zaitsev's status is available.
The Blackhawks received good news on the injury front on Sunday after Taylor Hall practiced with the Hawks. He returned to the lineup on Monday after missing Saturday's game. Originally, Hall was listed as week-to-week, but rebounded quickly to dress on Monday. Ideally, Zaitsev will be ok and return in the second period.
The Blackhawks went into the first period tied with the Maple Leafs 0-0. The Blackhawks outshot the Leafs 9-6 in the first period and outchanced the Leafs 6-3 at 5-on-5. The response was exactly the start the Blackhawks wanted and needed after a very poor showing on Saturday night.
UPDATE: Nikita Zaitsev returned to the ice in the second period. He appears healthy despite the nasty hit.
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