After plunging to 3-5 on their current nine-game trip with one left after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Sharks, Blackhawks coach Darryl Sutter called for help. Literally.
Sutter announced a long-expected move, saying that the line of center Jeff Shantz, right wing Sergei Krivokrasov and left wing Steve Dubinsky are joining the team for Thursday night’s return to the Stadium.
The three will be recalled from Indianapolis in the International Hockey League. But, whether they’ll play Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks isn’t certain.
“They’ll be there,” said a tight-lipped Sutter, adding he hadn’t thought how he might use them in his lineup.
Missing an effective second line all season, Sutter could decide to try this trio in that role. Krivokrasov was the club’s No. 1 draft pick in 1992; Shantz was No. 2.
Too close: Christian Ruuttu blamed himself for getting too close to goalie Arturs Irbe when a Michel Goulet pass from left wing found Ruuttu undefended on the right side of the offensive zone Sunday. Ruuttu held the puck as he attacked toward the right crease and attempted a far-side shot that Irbe kicked away.
“I held the puck too long before the shot,” Ruuttu said.
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