Rundblad slated to step in for Blackhawks defense
CHICAGO (AP) Defenseman David Rundblad is expected to take the place of the injured Michal Rozsival when the Blackhawks open the Western Conference finals.
The 24-year-old Rundblad has never appeared in an NHL playoff game. During the regular season, he skated in 49 games, averaging 12:48 minutes. He had three goals and 11 assists and was a plus-17.
Rozsival is the Blackhawks' fifth defenseman behind the core of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya. He broke his left ankle in the second period of Chicago's 4-3 win at Minnesota on Thursday that completed a sweep of the Wild. The Blackhawks await the winner of the series between Anaheim and Calgary.
Rozsival averaged 17 1/2 minutes through Chicago's first 10 playoff games. He is expected to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the postseason.
