Andrew Ladd Unlikely for Game 1

CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Ladd will return at some point from an upper-body injury, although his presence in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals at United Center on Saturday appears unlikely.

Ladd missed his third consecutive practice with what's been described as an upper-body injury suffered late in Sunday's series-clinching victory over the San Jose Sharks.

"Nothing has changed," Blackhawks coach Joel Quennville said. "I expect him to play [in the series]."

Tomas Kopecky skated with Ladd's line -- which is centered by Dave Bolland and has Kris Versteeg on the opposite wing -- during Friday's practice. Kopecky said he wasn't informed by the coaching staff that he'd be in the game, but he acted like he'd be on the 'Hawks' checking line.

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"Right now, I just want to keep my head clear and be ready the first game [and] first shift tomorrow," Kopecky said. "I will go shift by shift and not put any big targets ahead of me. I will just live the moment."

Kopecky had three goals and an assist in the playoffs before he was scratched the prior five games.

"It'll be a little bit different, but he does a lot of the same things [as Ladd]," Versteeg said. "They both have skill and are both big guys. Laddy might be a little more physical here and there, but Kopy can go to the net also. We'll adjust to it and we'll be fine."