If the Chicago Blackhawks want to accomplish their goal of Stanley Cup championship, they'll need to win Game 4 while on the road during their Western Conference finals series against the Los Angeles Kings at 9 p.m. ET.

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Via ESPN:

Duncan Keith will sit out Thursday under a one-game suspension for high-sticking Los Angeles' Jeff Carter. Keith hit Carter with a one-handed blow in the second period of the Kings' 3-1 victory in Game 3, opening a 20-stitch gash on the star forward's face and cracking three of his teeth.

Chicago has a 2-1 series lead and could take control with a win in Game 4, but the uncertainty of Keith's fate hung over both teams' practices Wednesday. Keith is enormously important to the powerful Blackhawks, easily leading the club in ice time and ranking third in playoff scoring with 10 points.

Sheldon Brookbank, the likely candidate to take Keith's place in the Blackhawks' lineup, hasn't played in the postseason.

"It's been our strength pretty much all season, our depth on our blue line," Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said before the suspension was announced. "So whatever happens with that, I think we're going to be all right. I'm sure if something happens, Brookbank is going to come in and play good. All of the D-men have to step up a little more if that happens."

Keith, whose ungloved hand was nearly slashed by Carter an instant earlier, got a double minor penalty for his high stick, but was allowed to stay in Game 3. Keith had a hearing with the NHL's department of player safety Wednesday, but spent the day uneasily waiting for a decision.

"I said my piece," Keith said before the suspension. "Said the same thing last night, that it was an accident, and I didn't mean to get him where I got him."