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Injured Blackhawks try to regroup vs. Canucks

Oct 25, 2006 - 3:06 PM Vancouver (5-4-1) at Chicago (4-4-0) 8:30 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Just when it looked like the Chicago Blackhawks were turning things around, circumstances have soured, and the team could be in trouble again.

The Blackhawks, who have lost two straight and now have to battle through injuries, will try to get back on track when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.

In the past couple of days, Chicago lost center Michal Handzus for the season with a knee injury, left wing Martin Havlat for up to two weeks with an ankle sprain and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin with a broken finger.

Khabibulin, who is 4-2-0 with a 3.36 goals-against average in six starts, could also be out for up to two weeks. Havlat was off to a great start, as his 13 points were amongst the league leaders.

Chicago backup netminder Brian Boucher, who has languished in going 0-2-0 with a 4.58 GAA, should get the majority of the starts until Khabibulin returns.

The Canucks will be looking to end a five-game road trip on a positive note. Vancouver absorbed a 2-1 loss at the Dallas Stars on Monday after two straight overtime wins.

Daniel Sedin scored the lone goal for the Canucks, who were 0-for-6 on the power play. Goaltender Roberto Luongo made 24 saves.

The Canucks have dominated the Blackhawks recently, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. Vancouver also won all four games last season.