Connor Murphy Sidelined with Lower Body Injury

In tonight’s Blackhawks shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Connor Murphy was not present on the bench from the third period on. Head coach Jeremy Colliton provided an update on his status after the game.

Murphy’s injury will certainly be a blow to the Hawks blue line, as he has been part of the top pair with Duncan Keith over the past several games. Though Murphy has zero points on the season, the team drives possession more often than not when he is on the ice, as evidenced by his 57.7% Corsi-for. Murphy began the season on injured reserve with a groin injury, and from Colliton’s postgame comments that seems to be what’s ailing the defenseman once again.

In his place, Slater Koekkoek will likely slot into the lineup for the time being. Koekkoek has looked a bit shaky in his only two appearances of the season. He has zero points, one shot on goal, and a minus-three rating in 14:17 average time on ice.

Featured Photo: Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune