CHICAGO — The Coyotes might have goalie Mike Smith and center Martin Hanzal in the lineup Tuesday night for Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks will be without forward Andrew Shaw.
Shaw was suspended for three games by the NHL on Tuesday afternoon for his hit to Smith's head during Game 2 of the best-of-seven series on Saturday in Phoenix.
NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said Shaw's contact with Smith was not incidental and that the rookie didn't make a reasonable effort to avoid Smith.
Shaw would be eligible to return for a Game 6.
Meanwhile, Smith and Hanzal both took part in the Coyotes' morning skate at the United Center. Coach Dave Tippett said both would be game-time decisions for Game 3, scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
Tippett ruled out forward Lauri Korpikoski, who did not skate Tuesday morning, with Gilbert Brulé as his likely replacement. The players’ injuries have not been specified.
Hanzal said he felt all right in the morning skate.
"Hopefully, I'll be ready tonight,” he said. “It's better. It's way better."
Tippett was noticeably perturbed by repeated questions about Shaw’s hit on Smith that led to a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The suspension was announced Tuesday afternoon, after Tippett had met with reporters.
“It’s a blatant hit to the head with no intent to miss the goalie,” Tippett said. “It’s the exact hit — and I’ve gone through a lot of these meetings with the NHL on it — it’s the exact hit they’re trying to take out of the game.”
Asked if there was a specific reason he held Smith out of practice Monday, Tippett said: “That’s our prerogative. Whether it’s an injury day or a rest day, we don’t have to tell everybody why a player practices or not. Why would we do that?”
Despite Tippett's sentiment, it seems odd to hold Smith out of practice the day before a crucial game if there isn’t some sort of lingering issue, raising the possibility he is suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
Smith did not speak with the media Tuesday, and Tippett would not discuss the nature of Smith's or any other player’s injury. One report, from The Sports Network, indicated Smith is uninjured and would play Tuesday.
Smith has stopped 89 of 95 shots through two games against Chicago for a .937 save percentage. If he can’t play, backup Jason LaBarbera will get the nod.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
