Artem Anisimov missing Blackhawks game with LBI

The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to clinch their 2016 post-season berth on Sunday night against the Vancouver Canucks, but they’ll have to do so without centre Artem Anisimov in the lineup.

The Blackhawks confirmed this afternoon that Anisimov, who was dealt to the Blackhawks over the summer as part of the package that sent winger Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets, is out day to day with a lower body injury and won’t appear in the lineup in just under an hour.

Without the forward available to play, the Blackhawks lose one of their higher scoring pieces and top six forwards; the 27 year old boasts 19 goals and 38 points through 74 games this year, which is good for sixth on the team in scoring and second among team centres.

The Blackhawks will head into their game without Anisimov looking to build off a recent 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, which served as one of just three wins they’ve taken home in their last 10 games played. The only Western Conference team that sits on a worse record coming into Sunday’s matchup is actually the Canucks, who have gone 2-7-1 in their last 10 games to fall behind Chicago’s 3-6-1 record in the same time frame.

The two teams will see puck drop at 5:00 PM PST at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canucks come into the game having been shut out in four of their last five games.

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