Game Day Report : The Hawks will play tonight's game without two key players.

Game Day Report : The Hawks will play tonight's game without two key players.

As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare for what’s expected to be a hard fought battle tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, they do it with the knowledge that they’ll have to play without veteran leaders Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier today that the Blackhawks will opt to rest both Toews and Hossa for tonight’s contest at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Drawing into the lineup are John Hayden and Dennis Rasmussen on the team’s fourth line, while head coach Joel Quenneville jumbles his top-nine forwards to cover for the absence of Toews and Hossa.

Despite hurting their chances this evening, Quenneville’s decision may end up proving smart in the long run. With the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs beginning next week, the Blackhawks will need both Toews and Hossa at full health if they’re going to make a serious run for a fourth Stanley Cup championship in the past seven seasons.