Chicago Blackhawks: Who Is Joel Quenneville's 12th Forward in Game 7 Showdown?

The Chicago Blackhawks will be arriving in Vancouver in preparation for the deciding game in their Western Conference quarterfinal series with the Canucks.

Quenneville can be counted on to stick to his lineup in this final showdown in Rogers Arena Tuesday night.  Or can he?

Over the course of the series, Quenneville has employed several Blackhawks as his 12th forward. Injuries coupled with returning players have found the 'Hawks coach tweaking the end of his bench even after victories.

Now, with Game 7 on the horizon, on whom does Quenneville call upon to skate Tuesday night?

Assuming the rest of the lineup remains intact, here's a quick look at some of Quenneville's options.

Jake Dowell

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Florida Panthers at the United Center on March 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Panthers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Dowell has been the center on the third or fourth lines for the bulk of the season. The Wisconsin native played in Games 1 and 3 in this series.

Pro: He is capable of going into the corners for pucks and could play on the wing with Johnson and Troy Brouwer.

He did score 21 points this season and his legs should certainly be fresh. He could help out on the PK units.

Con: Dowell's play tapered off as the season wound down, raising speculation that he is nursing an injury. 

Plus, he appears to be in Quenneville's doghouse at the moment.

John Scott

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 21: Tanner Glass #15 of the Vancouver Canucks hits John Scott #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks along the side boards during the third period in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playof

Scott has played in the last four games. He saw time at forward in Games 3 and 6, and manned the blue line in Games 4 and 5.

Pro: He does try to bring a physical presence to both positions.

If one of the Canucks skates to the Chicago bench and asks for a volunteer to drop the gloves, Scott would have no problem doing so.  Quenneville has been quick to praise Scott's play in this series.

Con: Scott is neither an offensive threat or a defensive stopper. 

If the 'Hawks are several goals up, the 6'8" Scott has seen limited minutes. He skated 59 seconds in a nip and tuck Game 6, forcing big minutes on the other forwards.

Marcus Kruger

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Marcus Kruger #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Dan Hamhuis #2 of the Vancouver Canucks skate to the puck in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April

Kruger, who recently joined the Blackhawks after a season in the Swedish Elite League, played in Games 2, 3, 4 and 5 against Vancouver.

Pro: He has good speed and makes decent decisions with the puck when he gets it.

He has an assist in the series and can handle a stick. Adds speed to the lineup and is not afraid to go into the corners.

Con: He has been bullied in those corners by the stronger Vancouver forwards.

He is obviously still learning the nuances of playing in the smaller NHL rink. 

Fernando Pisani

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Fernando Pisani #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on April 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

The former Edmonton Oiler appeared in Games 2 and 3 in the series after playing in 60 regular season games for the 'Hawks this season.

Pro: Pisani is a capable veteran who has playoff experience. He led a deep run into the 2005-06 playoffs and faced off with Carolina in Game 7 in the finals.

Con: The Oilers lost that Game 7. It was also five years in Pisani's rear-view mirror.

The last time he registered a point in any game for Chicago was February 4th. He's minus-6 in that span.

Tomas Kopecky (or Another Surprise)

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 13: Keith Ballard #4 of the Vancouver Canucks is wrestled to the ice by Tomas Kopecky #82 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playo

Kopecky suffered an upper body injury in the series opener and has not played since. He has been listed as day to day with what most believe is a concussion. 

Dave Bolland and Brent Seabrook both have returned to play in this series. Is it a possibility that Kopecky could re-enter the lineup for Game 7?

Pro:  He is one more guy to stand in front of the net and could provide a boost if healthy.

Con:  It's very likely that he is not.

There's also the possibility that Quenneville could stun everybody with the surprise announcement of Rob Klinkhammer or another out of the blue lineup addition. 

However, if it hasn't happened by now, it is unlikely Quenneville would throw a new twist into the lineup with Chicago's success in the last three games.

How Will Quenneville Complete the Lineup?

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks talks with his players during a stop in play in the second period against the Boston Bruins on March 29, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Assuming Kopecky is still not cleared to play, the player Quenneville chooses to go with in Game 7 is certainly open to debate. 

I wouldn't expect the player in question to uncork a multi-point night, but the fourth line needs to hold it's own and take a share of the minutes.

Quenneville likely will have a specific job in mind for his 12th forward and proceed accordingly. 

Will Quenneville make that choice clear in advance, or will he employ a bit of gamesmanship and hold off on announcing his lineup until the last minute?

It's all part of the evolving story lines heading into the series' final game.