**Blackhawks’ Connor Murphy Placed on Injured Reserve with Groin Injury**
CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks made a tough call on Saturday, placing defenseman Connor Murphy on injured reserve due to a groin injury. This decision comes after the 31-year-old Murphy last played over 19½ minutes in a challenging 6-2 loss to St. Louis during the Winter Classic on December 31. Throughout this season, Murphy has contributed significantly with one goal and 12 assists in 38 games.
Key Details
Murphy’s time on the injured list was backdated to the St. Louis game, leaving interim coach Anders Sorensen uncertain about when the defenseman will make a comeback. Sorensen mentioned, “It’s longer than a couple of days,” indicating a potentially extended recovery period.
In a positive turn, defenseman Alec Martinez was cleared to return after dealing with a neck injury. The 37-year-old Martinez rejoined the lineup against Edmonton, taking over Wyatt Kaiser’s spot on the roster. However, the team faced another setback as veteran forward Craig Smith missed his second consecutive game due to a back injury, with Sorensen labeling his status as day-to-day.
Game Adjustments
Chicago faced a challenging period with a string of losses before their game against Edmonton, having dropped seven of their last nine matchups. Following a 5-3 defeat in Detroit, Sorensen decided to shake things up by adjusting the team’s lines. One notable change included grouping 22-year-old Lukas Reichel with Frank Nazar and Colton Dach, both also 22 years old. The trio represents some of the younger players on the Blackhawks roster, with Nazar celebrating his 21st birthday soon.
“I want to get the young guys together but I also want to move Reichel to the wing,” Sorensen explained. “He’s played a lot in the middle here, so want to see if we can get him going that way.”
In the world of professional sports, injuries are an unfortunate reality that teams must navigate. The Blackhawks now face the challenge of adapting to these key player absences while striving to improve their performance on the ice. As fans eagerly await Murphy’s return, the team must rally together and continue their pursuit of success in the competitive NHL landscape.