When Blackhawks coach Craig Hartsburg wants to give a player a rest, he really gives him a rest.
Denis Savard not only didn’t play Wednesday against Toronto, he didn’t make the trip. He joined his teammates here Thursday for Friday’s game against Dallas.
Similarly, Murray Craven, who scored two goals including the game-winner Wednesday night, didn’t accompany the team here. Craven has been fighting a back problem.
“We’re giving him the night off,” Hartsburg said. “Obviously, after playing in the game, (his back) was a little stiff.
“He could play but there’s no sense aggravating it. We want to make sure we have our lineup ready going into the playoffs. Tonight’s a night we can give Craven a night off.”
Hartsburg is making a conscious effort to give Chris Chelios less ice time in an attempt to have him fresh going into the playoffs.
“We have cut him back,” Hartsburg said, “but it’s not like we’re not playing him. Instead of him playing 35 minutes, he’s maybe down to 25.”
Moving up: Gary Suter’s two points Friday night gave him 65 for the year. Three more would move him past the injured Jeremy Roenick into second place in team scoring. If that happens, he and Chelios, who leads the team with 70, would be the first defense pair in NHL history to finish 1-2 in team scoring.