Artem Anisimov injury gives Nick Schmaltz second-line opportunity

It looks like the Chicago Blackhawks will have to do without center Artem Anisimov for the rest of the regular season after he was injured Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

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Late in the first period of Chicago’s 4-2 win, Anisimov was hit along the boards by Alex Radulov. As the Canadiens forward fell, he landed on Anisimov’s lower leg, which caused him to be unable to put any weight on it as he left the ice.

After being spotted leaving Bell Centre in a walking boot, it was announced by Blackhawks head coach that Anisimov will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.

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Playing alongside Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin, Anisimov was in the middle of a career year. Through 64 games he’s scored 22 goals and recorded 45 points. This now likely opens the door for rookie Nick Schmaltz to step up and fill the center spot. He has 20 points in 48 games this season.

“It’s two great players, and they make my job easy,” Schmaltz said via the Chicago Sun-Times. “I just try to find that open ice, and I know I’m going to get the puck from those guys, because they have such good playmaking abilities. It’s pretty easy when you’re playing with two guys that kind of think the same game, and always know where each other are on the ice.”

And since we’re in fantasy hockey playoff season, it would probably be wise for grab Schmaltz if he’s still sitting out there on your waiver wire.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

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