CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks will play their first game since being eliminated from playoff contention when they face off against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night at the United Center.
Chicago (30-35-9) has not experienced a regular-season game without any hopes of the playoffs in a decade. Coach Joel Quenneville's team made the playoffs in each of the past nine seasons, winning three Stanley Cup championships in the process.
"You're always going to have key injuries, years where things go against you," Quenneville said this week to the Chicago Sun-Times. "We've always been able to overcome them and find ways to rectify some tough situations and get back on track.