DeBrincat's 30th of season is OT winner

After missing more than a month while in concussion protocol, Jonathan Toews was able to return to the Blackhawks' lineup to face former buddy Duncan Keith and the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center on Thursday.

Toews' return was big, but the Hawks also welcomed back forward Tyler Johnson (who missed 46 games with a neck injury) and defensemen Riley Stillman (14 games missed) and Calvin de Haan (two games missed).

"It's a good feeling," Toews said. "Guys were excited in the room."

And they were jumping with excitement the moment Alex DeBrincat's one-timer hit the back of the net at 2:23 of overtime to give the Hawks a hard-earned 4-3 victory over the Oilers. DeBrincat's 30th goal of the season - and his 50th career tally on the power play - came off a perfect feed from Patrick Kane.

Dominik Kubalik, Sam Lafferty and Kane also scored for the Hawks (20-27-8), and Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in net.

"It was awesome," coach Derek King said of being able to field a lineup at full strength. "They all contributed, they all played well. Tazer, it was nice to see him, just on the bench. His leadership helps so much. It calms things down. They get a little panicky going sometimes after shifts and he settles things down."

Toews, who centered the second line with DeBrincat and Brandon Hagel, won 9 of 16 faceoffs while playing almost 16½ minutes.

"It was another tough little setback," Toews said of the last five weeks. "I think I just tried to find the mentality that whatever I'm going through - if it's a 10-game goal streak or the complete opposite, which is what it's felt like to a certain degree - to just keep sticking with the process and taking care of myself. ... Just (be) grateful and appreciating that I can come to the rink and play this game and ... not looking too far ahead."

Johnson saw just 11 minutes, 10 seconds of ice time because King wanted to keep an eye on the veteran after such a long layoff.

"I didn't want to kill him right off the first game," King said. "He played a nice, responsible game."

Kubalik gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead at 2:49 of the third period after Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen handed the forward an absolute gift. Kubalik wasted no time after the turnover arrived on his stick, firing home his 11th goal of the season and first in 12 games.

Edmonton tied it at 3-3 with 50 seconds remaining on Evander Kane's second goal of the game.

The Hawks, who went 2-3-1 on their six-game homestand, play at Philadelphia on Saturday then return home to face Tampa Bay on Sunday and Anaheim on Tuesday.