Keith reportedly looked great in practice on Tuesday and was cleared for contact practices, which will start on Wednesday. Keith has healed at a rapid rate and could potentially return to the lineup by this weekend.
Keith is expected to miss 4-6 weeks so the Blackhawks have placed him on LTIR to open up a roster spot and give them some salary cap relief to fill that void for the next month or so. Keith’s placement on LTIR means he has to miss a minimum of 24 calendar days or 10 NHL games.
Keith only missed two games last season and has missed a total of only 19 games over the last nine seasons. This is a tough blow for a thin Blackhawks blueline, who already said they were in the market for another veteran defenseman. Keith was averaging 24:21 TOI so there is a lot of ice time to be had now. Veterans Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Trevor Daley will be leaned on heavily with Keith out. Keith is expected to be sidelined until mid-to-late November and could even be out until early December.
Keith missed Tuesday’s game with an illness, but he was back at practice this afternoon which is a good sign that he will be back in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. Keith has registered 18 points (6G / 12A) with a plus-10 rating in 31 games this season.
Keith is sick and will not play tonight vs. the Wild. With Keith out, expect David Rundblad to get back into the lineup. Consider Keith day-to-day.
Many teams are resting their key players down the stretch so they will be 100 per cent for the playoffs. Keith will sit which likely means David Runblad will be back in the lineup.
Keith missed Thursday's game with an illness but will slide back in tonight. Use him as you normally would.
Keith missed Thursday's contest and Saturday's practice because of the flu but is still expected to suit up tomorrow vs. the Jets. This is great news for Keith's fantasy owners who are in need of a late Sunday surge. Monitor his status during the morning skate for confirmation of his return.
Keith has three goals and 43 assists in 52 games this season and is on pace to be a Norris Trophy finalist. Consider Keith day-to-day.
This is a huge loss for the Blackhawks. Keith is their top minute-eater at 24:44 per game in the post-season. He has recorded a goal, nine assists and is plus-5 in 15 games. For a full explanation from the NHL's Department of Player Safety please visit the link.
Kings coach Darryl Sutter thought Keith got off easily with a double minor after opening a gash on Carter's face during the game. Keith clipped Carter during an exchange well behind the play in the second period. After Carter took a short hack at Keith's hand while the defenceman bent down to pick up his glove, Keith responded by skating behind Carter and hitting him in the face with a one-handed swing of his stick, dropping Carter to the ice.
The Blackhawks will rest a lot of their star players tonight.
Keith returns to the lineup on Thursday after serving his five-game suspension. He scored four goals and 40 points in 72 games.
Keith will play only two more games this season. He can return on April 5th against the Minnesota Wild.
Keith took a maintenance day this morning but still should play. He has four goals and 34 points in 61 games.
Keith is likely taking a maintenance day. He has three goals and 29 points in 53 games.
Keith jumps onto the second PP unit. Ten of his 22 assists have come with the man advantage so expect PP2 to score a few more goals.
Keith draws back into the lineup after missing a few games. He has no goals and six assists through his first 11 games this season.
Keith has missed three consecutive games. Stay tuned for a further update tomorrow prior to game time.
