Hjalmarsson to return vs. Stars; Toews out

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Niklas Hjalmarsson will be back in the lineup and Jonathan Toews is out as the Chicago Blackhawks face the Dallas Stars at the United Center.

The Blackhawks' defenseman will play his first game since getting injured against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 7. Hjalmarsson first had the flu, but "things changed," coach Joel Quenneville said, when Hjalmarsson flew back from San Jose to Chicago two days later.

"It's good to have him back," Quenneville said. "He defends properly and his positioning is strong for us. It's good to have that reliability back."

Meanwhile, Toews (upper body) did not skate again today. When asked if Toews was even working out right now, Quenneville said, "hes progressing. I guess well say thats where were at." Quenneville wasn't sure yet if Toews will travel to Los AngelesAnaheim for the Blackhawks' weekend games there.

There's also no progress on defenseman Steve Montador. As far as his long-term status, Quenneville said, "it would be nice to give you a time line on it but we dont have the precise forecast of exactly where it is. Hes starting to feel better. We're hoping it's not too long."

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