Blackhawks' Keith expects to play in season opener

The Chicago Blackhawks should have their top defenseman in the lineup when the regular season kicks off next week.

Duncan Keith has not played since he was replaced by Jay Bouwmeester on Team Canada's blue line at the World Cup of Hockey while he recovers from a knee injury, but expects to be in the lineup on Oct. 12 against the St. Louis Blues, he told NHL.com's Brian Hedger.

Before that happens, he will get his first taste of game action when the Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason tilt on Tuesday.

"I haven't played a game in a long time, like a lot of guys (have), so I'm just going to keep it simple and I'll just get that feeling back again," Keith said. "It's just one of those things now where it's going to be just focusing on maintaining my health and doing everything I can to make sure I'm feeling as good as I can to play."

Keith played 67 games for the Blackhawks last season, contributing nine goals and 43 points.