DENVER — With typical hockey-injury vagueness, Andrew Brunette categorized his recent affliction as part of the “bumps and bruises” all players endure during a season.
His healing prowess? Apparently no codes to decipher there. The Chicago Blackhawks veteran could play Tuesday against the Avalanche after initial, dire forecasts following an upper-body injury against Edmonton last week.
“He said he felt pretty good there, so we’ll make a decision after warmup tonight,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said after the morning skate at the Pepsi Center. “Could play.”
Brunette was working on front-of-the-net deflections at the end of the morning workout and seemed optimistic in the dressing room, which in a tea-leaf-reading sense bodes well.
“It was a little frustrating, but starting to feel better every day here,” Brunette said of the injury.
“Again, something we all go through, and it’s getting better. That’s the important thing – it got better real quick and hoping to play either tonight or further down the stretch here.”
Ray Emery gets the start in goal as the Hawks attempt to halt a five-game losing streak.
More Top Picks How To Lower Stress Naturally
“I just want to win tonight” Emery said, when asked if he could seize the starting gig for the stretch run. “That’s all I think you can ever look as far as — the next game. More often than not, that’ll put you in a good spot. Like I said from the start, I’m happy to get in the net and have the opportunity and want to win when I get in there.”