Michal Handzus will play on Saturday despite missing Friday's practice.
That's not too much of a surprise, but Handzus has now missed three straight practices. There's been speculation that he's playing through a back injury. All the same, he'll skate alongside Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp on the second line.

Michal Handzus may be dealing with a sore back.
Handzus played in Game 1 but has missed the last three practices and the rumor mill suggest that he has a sore back. Coach Joel Quenneville says that Handzus will be available Saturday for Game 2 but if he is unable to go, then Ben Smith will take his spot between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Stay tuned.

Michal Handzus didn't participate in Chicago's practice on Friday.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said that Handzus will still be available on Saturday, but it's worth noting that Handzus has now missed three practices during the postseason. All the same, Quenneville insists that Handzus is "fine."

Michal Handzus will play in Wednesday's Game 1 despite not practicing with the team this week.
Handzus got a "maintenance day" on Monday and coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday that Handzus was "fine." He should take part in Wednesday's morning skate and is expected to center Chicago's second line.

Michal Handzus has played very well as the Blackhawks second line center in the first two games of the playoffs.
Handzus is centering Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp as regular center Dave Bolland is out of the lineup. Bolland is slated to sit out Game 3 as well so Handzus will get the call again. Handzus has an assist and a plus-two rating in two games.

Michal Handzus will open the postseason as Chicago's second-line center.
Dave Bolland has played between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp for the majority of the season, but a groin injury will keep on the sidelines for the beginning of the playoffs. Handzus collected three assists with Sharp and Kane as his linemates in last Wednesday's win over Edmonton.

Michal Handzus recorded three assists on Wednesday.
Chicago acquired Handzus from the San Jose Sharks on April 1. He was a healthy scratch on Monday, making his offensive outburst in this competition all the more meaningful.

Michal Handzus was a healthy scratch against the Canucks Monday.
Coach Joel Quenneville said it was a coach's decision for the absence of Handzus in the lineup. Handzus has a goal and two assists in nine games with Chicago after being acquired from San Jose where he had a goal and two points in 28 games. He was not picked up for his offensive prowess, rather his solid defensive play as a bottom six forward.

Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman explained his rationale for acquiring Michal Handzus from the San Jose Sharks.
"We talked for a while about our desire to get bigger and have a center man," Bowman said. "Looking at our team right now, been happy with how the young players have played, particularly (Marcus) Kruger and (Andrew) Shaw. But when you get to the playoff time it's good to have some experience and depth at center. Michal accomplishes all of those - and on faceoffs, as well. That's an area we've tried to get better at." Faceoffs in particular are something Handzus can help them with. The Blackhawks have been in the middle of the pack in that regard, but Handzus has won 55.6% of his faceoffs this season.

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired Michal Handzus from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a fourth round draft pick.
Handzus has a goal and an assist in 28 games this season. He's a bottom-six center that's been good on the draw this season, but he has no fantasy value.

Michael Handzus is a healthy scratch for the Sharks on Wednesday night.
It's the first time he's forced to sit in the press box this season. The 36-year-old has really struggled this year with two points and a minus-nine rating.

Michal Handzus tallied a goal and an assist in San Jose's 5-3 loss against Chicago on Tuesday.
The two points were Handzus' first of the season. He also finished a plus-1 rating, which is impressive considering the result. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect much from Handzus, however, as San Jose is loaded with other offensive talent. One of these players, Joe Pavelski, notched his fifth goal of the season in the defeat.

Michal Handzus knows he needs to bounce back this season.
"I know last year wasn't good for me," Handzus said. "I didn't play well or help the team as much as I wanted to, or as much as the team wanted me to. I just put it behind me. It's a new year, and I [will] try to prove to my teammates, management and fans that I can help the team. That's my goal." Handzus had just 24 points in 67 games with the San Jose Sharks last season. He might do more for the Sharks in the shortened campaign, but he doesn't have enough offensive upside to make him worth owning in standard leagues.

Michal Handzus was thanked in a statement by HC Banksa Bystrica upon his exit from the team.
The club thanked him for coming over to play without compensation or any other costs while taking care of his own insurance. "Michal their performance on the ice as well as the overall gaming action in the cabin greatly help the team and not just for the sports page, and proved to be Banskobystričanom all your soul," said the team in shaky but touching Google translation. In 19 games in the Slovak Extraliga, Handzus posted nine goals and 10 assists.