CHICAGO – Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Desjardins said Tuesday on Twitter that his two childhood friends have been found after not being heard from since Saturday when an earthquake hit Nepal.

"Thank you everyone for your concern, and your help! Sam Caldbick and Cody Walter have been found and are safe #NepalQuakeRelief," Desjardins tweeted.

Desjardins told the Chicago Tribune on Monday after practice that the two were hiking toward Kathmandu when the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit and that he hoped they were "helping in relief and can't get to people [to communicate]."

Desjardins had tweeted earlier Monday the two were last heard from April 23, two days before the quake hit. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported more than 4,700 deaths and 8,000 injured as a result of the earthquake.

Renewing rivalry

The Blackhawks have eliminated the Wild in the playoffs the past two seasons, but they know that means basically nothing when it comes to the series set to begin Friday at home. This Wild team is on a significant roll and continues to ride the scorching play of goaltender Devan Dubnyk.

"[The Wild] have a lot of confidence," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They play an excellent team game. They've got some speed, quickness [and] they made that trade for [Dubnyk]. They've gained a lot of momentum off what they've achieved. We're very familiar with their team, what they're capable of doing and knowing that we've got a great challenge in front of us."

Staying positive

Veteran winger Kris Versteeg vowed to keep at it, even as he wore a white sweater in Monday's practice, usually a sign a player likely won't play the next game. Quenneville indicated that 20-year-old Teuvo Teravainen will get a shot against the Wild.

"Wherever I go, I try hard," Versteeg said. "Whether it's a white sweater, red sweater, it doesn't matter to me. I'm just trying to play my game. If I'm in the lineup, I am. If I'm not, I'm not. It is what it is."

Versteeg, 28, scored a goal in Game 5 against Nashville, his only postseason scoring. He had 14 goals and 20 assists in 61 games this season.