Toews, Montador skate; still no timetable on return

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Jonathan Toews skated for the fourth consecutive day and Steve Montador joined his teammates this morning as the Chicago Blackhawks prepared for tonights game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Toews (concussion) was already out for tonights game but is still hoping to play Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. A few things need to happen before then, however; the captain has not yet been cleared for contact and said hes still not feeling 100 percent.

Im getting closer and closer as far as how I feel injury wise but definitely could tell the conditioning needs some work, Toews said. Every time we play a game I hope for that game. Im not thinking about missing the game on Tuesday but Im more focused on how this practice went and what I have to do the rest of the day.

Montador (concussion) joined the Blackhawks for the first time since getting injured against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 7. He was skating on his own a few weeks back but was off the ice recently.

I dont call them setbacks, Montador said. When youre coming back after 3-4 weeks off and then skating again, sometimes you need to take some time off. Just because Im not skating doesnt mean Im not working out and training and stuff.

Its been a trying time for Montador, who has missed the last 15 games.

Coming back from an injury, and certainly one Ive never been out for this long during the regular season, its a challenge, he said. You feel like youre getting ready and then you take some time off. Theres some psychological and emotional turbulence that goes with it. Its certainly a challenge but the overall trend has been solid, which is exciting for me.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks will prepare for a Kings team which has lost two in a row. The Kings are currently 11th in the Western Conference.

Ray Emery will start in goal for the Blackhawks. Emery has just three career games against the Kings, with a 1-0-0 record.

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