Toews returns as Blackhawks battle Kings

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Monday, Jan. 3, 2011
Posted: 1:04 p.m.Updated: 1:42 p.m.By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com

Tonight's game can be seen on Versus starting at 8:00 p.m.
LOS ANGELESJonathan Toews started to feel better the day after his sustained his right shoulder injury in St. Louis. Now, six days later, hes ready to play again.

Toews will start tonight when the Blackhawks play the Los Angeles Kings. The captain said this morning that hes not rushing back at all and has been happy with his healing since Tuesday.

From the first day until today, we saw progress every day, Toews said. Theres always that side of things that you want to push it to get back as fast as you can but I can honestly say that I dont feel like theres any risk coming back tonight. It feels really good. I hit the ice a couple times and I dont think I lost much. Hopefully Ill pick up where I left off.

His return not only gives the team a healthy lineup again, but it could also provide the boost during this three-game losing streak.

Its one of those big pieces youre missing in the lineup, said right wing Marian Hossa. Hes a leader so its a huge confidence boost when you get a player like that in the lineup. Everyones looking forward to having the captain back. But we cant expect him to win the game by himself. Everybody has to be better.

One area where Toews helps the Blackhawks immediately is in the faceoff circle. The team has struggled there and will welcome back his winning percentage of 59.6 is fifth best in the NHL.

Obviously hes good on faceoffs, and play all starts with winning the faceoff, getting the puck instead of us losing the draw and chasing right off the bat, defenseman Duncan Keith said. Obviously hes great at controlling the puck, so its great to have him back in the lineup.

Toews didnt foresee his injury hampering his faceoffs.

Most of that is mentality, he said. If you can find a way to forget about it, it shouldnt be a big deal. Itll be about being prepared tonight and hopefully getting off to a good start for faceoffs. We didnt do that well last night so as a team we want to do better tonight.

Corey Crawford will get his second consecutive start tonight in goal.

Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.

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