CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks placed veteran forward Craig Smith on injured reserve on Thursday with a nagging back injury. Smith hasn't appeared in a game since he skated for more than 10 minutes during a 3-1 victory over Colorado on Jan.

Hours before the Colorado Avalanche were set to play at the United Center, Avs coach Jared Bednar called the Chicago Blackhawks a “dangerous team.” “There’s a lot of good growth in their ...