Chicago bolsters defense, activates Keith, Rozsival

D Duncan Keith was activated from long-term injured reserve on Friday.

Keith and Michal Rozsival, who was in line to play for the first time since fracturing his left ankle in May, were slated to return to the Hawks lineup Saturday on a remade blue line that had at least kept the Hawks afloat in the pair’s absence. After suffering a gruesome ankle break in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals in Minnesota last May he’s taken most of the summer and early part of the season to recover. He agreed to a one-year contract September 19. The 2013 Stanley Cup champion has totaled 33 points (two goals, 31 assists) in 134 games with Chicago over the past three seasons. Captain David Backes has also been held in check, going without a point in eight of his last 10 contests – although he scored and set up a goal versus Chicago last week.

Keith underwent surgery on his knee on October 20th to fix a right knee meniscal tear and initially was ruled out 4-to-6 weeks. The 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy victor and two-time James Norris Trophy victor was drafted by Chicago in the second round (54th overall) of the 2002 draft. Young kids like Viktor Svedberg and Erik Gustafsson have been plugged in, and they’ve made the most of their learning experience under coach Joel Quenneville.

Gustafsson, 23, registered three assists in six games with the Blackhawks since making his National Hockey League debut on October 30 at Minnesota. Goaltender Corey Crawford, who has been confirmed to make his sixth straight start, looks to redeem himself after letting Chicago’s five-goal first period go by the boards against St. Louis on November 4.ABOUT THE BLUES (11-4-1): Steen tallied twice versus the Blackhawks and added a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over Nashville before being held off the scoresheet in each of the last two games. He signed with the Blackhawks as a free agent on April 30.