Keith was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury sustained Nov. 29 and has missed five games. The 36-year-old defenseman has six points (one goal, five assists) in 25 games.
After losing their first two games without Keith by a combined 11-3, they played three consecutive one-goal games, going 2-0-1 with all three games going past regulation, including a 4-3 overtime win at the Boston Bruins and a 2-1 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils.
"I thought on the road trip [against Boston and New Jersey], we took a step forward," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said Monday. "We did a lot of good things away from the puck, helped each other. That's a big thing. One guy is a step late or makes a mistake, the other four guys can cover for him. I thought we did that very well [then], but not as good last game (4-3 shootout loss against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday). So we have to get back to that."
With Keith out and defenseman Olli Maatta questionable because of the flu, Chicago recalled defenseman Adam Boqvist from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Monday. The No. 8 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Boqvist made his NHL debut earlier this season and scored one goal in six games. He has six points (one goal, five assists) in 15 AHL games.
"He's done well down there," Colliton said. "Reports have been good and I've had a chance to watch a couple of games too. He continues to get better. Hopefully that process continues and can continue here."
The Blackhawks also shifted forward Andrew Shaw to long-term injured reserve because of a concussion sustained Nov. 30. Forward Matthew Highmore also was recalled from Rockford.
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
