Kris Versteeg recorded his first goal of the playoffs in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime victory over Minnesota. He has been in and out of the lineup for Chicago, so opening the scoring in Game 6 likely felt like a huge relief. It was also his 28th birthday on Tuesday. Going back to the regular season, it was Versteeg's first goal since Mar. 25. He has three points in nine contests this spring.

Kris Versteeg started Game 5 on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell. He has been scratched for a few games in the postseason, once due to an illness, but coach Joel Quenneville still has faith in him. "We're looking for more directness in his game, more pace," the Blackhawks bench boss said. "We were ready to start him at the beginning of the series, and he was sick. We want to get him up to speed, where he's contributing with the puck, without the puck, influencing both ways, and have more speed in his game." He ended up helping out on the team on a speedy fourth line, alongside Peter Regin and Brandon Saad. Versteeg has two assists in eight games this postseason, but he hasn't registered a point in his past six outings.

Kris Versteeg is projected to be a healthy scratch on Friday. It would be Versteeg's third game in the press box since the start of the 2014 playoffs. He has two assists in seven postseason contests.

With Andrew Shaw sidelined, Chicago Blackhawks winger Kris Versteeg draws back into the lineup against the Minnesota Wild in Game 2 on Sunday. Versteeg has been in and out of good favor in Chicago, struggling with illnesses and inconsistency. He generated two assists in his five playoff appearances so far in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Kris Versteeg is likely to return to the Blackhawk lineup after missing Friday's contest with an illness. He will be needed and especially so if Andrew Shaw is not be able to play Sunday in Game 2.

Kris Versteeg was expected to play Friday, but he was scratched because he was sick. His subtraction from the lineup was a decision that was made close to game time. If he's healthy then he could play in Game 2 against Minnesota, especially since Andrew Shaw is questionable with a lower-body injury.

Kris Versteeg was a healthy scratch on Friday. Versteeg was expected to play after being a healthy scratch in Game 6 against the Blues, but it was not to be. He had two assists in the first five games of the first round.

Kris Versteeg is expected to play for Chicago in Game 1 of their second round series against Minnesota. Versteeg was a healthy scratch in Game 6 of the first round. He's projected to play with Brandon Bollig and Michal Handzus on the fourth line.

Kris Versteeg is working through a mini-slump. Versteeg hasn't recorded a point in two games and doesn't have a goal yet in the playoffs. "Getting some opportunities and for whatever reason it hasn't gone in," Versteeg said. "But you just keep going. You stick to your game plan and eventually the ice will break and hopefully the floodgates open." Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville thought Versteeg was good in the first three games of Chicago's first round series, but then took a step back in Game 4. Chicago will play in Game 5 on Friday.

Kris Versteeg netted his 100th career goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over Pittsburgh at Soldier Field. Versteeg went on an 11-game goal scoring drought between his 99th and 100th markers. "That was something maybe I've been pressing for a little while now, people asking you about it all the time and family members. It was really nice to get it here," Versteeg said. "You try to take positives every game and that's one you can take and hopefully build confidence for myself." Versteeg also scored during the Blackhawks' outdoor game in 2009.