Toews to miss Nashville game; may skip All-Star Game
One game without Jonathan Toews isn't such bad news for the Blackhawks.
If it's any more than that, the Hawks could be in trouble.
From what Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Monday, the suspected left arm injury Toews suffered over the weekend isn't serious, but it will keep him out of Tuesday's key Central Division game against Nashville at the United Center.
“He's going to be out for (Tuesday's) game,” Quenneville said. “It's not serious, but he's out.”
Toews is likely going to skip Sunday's All-Star Game and all this week's festivities in Ottawa as well.
“The All-Star Game, right now we're going to say not likely,” Quenneville said.
With six days off for the all-star break after Tuesday's game, the Hawks are hoping to have their captain back in the lineup when the schedule resumes Jan. 31 in Vancouver.
“We've got some extra days to rest here and we'll get a better assessment after that,” Quenneville said.
Toews took a slash across the left arm from Florida Panthers defense Erik Gudbranson in the second period of Friday's game at the UC. He was able to finish that game despite appearing to be in considerable pain, but he couldn't do the same on Saturday at Nashville after apparently aggravating the injury at some point in the second period.
Quenneville couldn't blame the slash by Gudbranson as causing Toews' injury.
“When we look at the injury there's no defining blow,” Quenneville said. “It's tough to say exactly what happened.”
Dave Bolland, normally the Hawks' checking center, was on the first line for Patrick Kane and Viktor Stalberg at practice Monday in place of Toews.
“I don't want him to change how he plays,” Quenneville said. “He doesn't have to be Johnny or an offensive type of guy. Play to your strength, especially (Tuesday), because it will be a tight game.
Replacing everything Toews means to the Hawks on and off the ice is impossible. His 27 goals leads the team and he is second in scoring behind Marian Hossa with 50 points. Toews also leads the NHL in faceoff percentage and is second to none among Hawks in winning puck battles.
“He plays in every situation, key player, a guy you definitely miss if he's out of the lineup,” Kane said. “You can't replace a player like (Patrick) Sharp or Toews, but there are some guys who can step up, and they have. These are big opportunities for myself and a lot of guys here.”
Toews hasn't missed a games this season and sat out only two last year with an injury.
“You certainly miss his leadership and how important he is to our team,” Quenneville said. “It changes the complexion of what our options are, but it's part of it. You get tested along the way. Everybody goes through it, top guys out, key guys.”
The Hawks now are without two of their top four scorers in Toews and Sharp, who has missed the last seven games with a broken left wrist.
“Guys are going to have to step up and try to fill the void,” Kane said.
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