The Chicago Blackhawks announced that forward Zack Smith is sidelined for seven to 10 days with a left hand injury.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Forward Zack Smith (left hand) will be out approximately 7-10 days. #Blackhawks
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 14, 2020
Zack Smith Injured
The 31-year-old suffered the injury in the second period during Chicago’s 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Smith was cut with a skate blade of Elias Pettersson on his left hand during the game. This came after he was checked from behind by Tyler Myers.
So far this season, Smith has scored four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 50 games this season. The Maple Creek, Saskatchewan native also has 29 penalty minutes. His possession numbers were 46.2 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -3.1.
Over his 12-year NHL career, Smith has played for the Ottawa Senators and the Chicago Blackhawks. He has 98 goals and 106 assists for 204 career points in 662 career games. Ottawa originally drafted him in the third round, 79th overall of the 2008 NHL Draft.
Smith came over from the Senators for forward Artem Anisimov on July 16, 2019.
Smith’s career-high goals was 25 when he reached that mark in the 2015-16 season with Ottawa.
What This Means for the Future
The Blackhawks lose a solid depth forward that’s been a helpful part of their lineup. He hasn’t scored a lot of goals, but did use his physical game to help the team out. Smith was in the middle of a nine-game pointless streak when the injury happened. He played mostly on the fourth line during the 2019-20 season.
It looks like Matthew Highmore will draw into the lineup with Smith on the shelf. Highmore has a goal and two assists this season with the big club. He’s also split time with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
The Blackhawks (25-24-8), who have lost five straight (0-3-2), continue their five-game Western Canada road trip Saturday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Chicago sits last in the Central Division.
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 14: Chicago Blackhawks Center Zack Smith (15) during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators on January 14, 2020, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
