Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews aiming playoff opening return against Phoenix Coyotes –NHL
Chicago Blackhawks can expect to get a major boost in offensive power if their captain, Jonathan Toews, makes a comeback, as expected, against Phoenix Coyotes in their Western Conference playoff quarterfinal opening game on Thursday, April 12, 2012.
At the moment, there have been no official announcements that the player will be returning for the game either by himself or the team management but speculations are that it is most likely after his concussion symptoms have begun clearing up.
Toews missed the final 22 games of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season due to a concussion, which according to him, most were used to just get some rest and prepare for the offseason along with avoiding any possible aggravation.
He was back and practicing with the team earlier this past Monday and showed signs that he is all ready to get back into playing.
"Wanted to err on the cautious side by me not playing (at the end of the regular season)," Toews said after practice. "I'm feeling more confident Thursday might be the day but we'll see."
Being out for so long definitely might have affected his game and how he might handle the playoff pressure by making a comeback right into the postseason, but Toews is confident that it should not be something to worry about.
"Probably a little bit but hopefully it doesn't last too long," Toews added. "Whenever I make that commitment, I'll have that mindset where I want to keep it simple and just go out there and play a gritty game. The key is not trying to do too much."
Blackhawks’ forward, Patrick Sharp, was also of the view that a few practice sessions would do Toews some good and allow him to get back into playing primetime hockey.
"I anticipate him to come back and pick up right where he left off. ... He's a great player,” Sharp said.
Chicago head coach, Joel Quenneville, was also optimistic that his captain would be back on the ice for game-one against Phoenix Coyotes but is not expecting a final decision until a night before the matchup or even the same day.
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