Blackhawks-Red Wings: Martin Havlat and Nikolia Khabibulin Travel to Detroit

Finding themselves in a desperate situation, the Chicago Blackhawks received some welcoming news regarding their banged-up leading scorer Martin Havlat and starting goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

One loss away from elimination against the Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that these two key players are indeed scheduled to make the trip to Detroit.

Even though they weren’t healthy enough to practice on Tuesday the Blackhawks—who are trailing their Western Conference Finals, 3-1—announced these two as being a game-time decision. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville proclaimed that both will partake in Wednesday’s pre-game skate before the brass decides anything.

Havlat, who scored 77 points, originally got hurt in Game Three when he took the full force of a Niklas Kronwall hit. Havlat showed his heart and lots of courage by coming back for Game Four on Sunday but only played just under eight minutes.

There was a lot of controversy though over hios return as it was suspected he was concussed. It is very dangerous to return to the game if you are in this state—and the message sent by his return has been the subject of a debate in the Toronto media.

Meanwhile, Khabibulin—who has been key in the playoffs in posting a 2.33 GAA—left Game Three with an apparent injury. Backup Cristobal Huet was in net for Chicago on Sunday, and surrendered five goals in what was a convincing 6-1 Red Wings victory.

Chicago fans are holding their collective breath, and hoping for the best come Wednesday night.