NEWSLETTER
He’s back.
Following a full season in 2020-21 where the Blackhawks were without their Captain, Jonathan Toews makes his first appearance back with the club tonight as Chicago prepares to take on the Detroit Red Wings in the first preseason game of the 2021-22 campaign.
Here are the full lines and pairings from this morning’s pregame skate:
#Blackhawks lineup at morning skate:
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
Hagel-Dach-Connolly
Reichel-Borgstrom-Nylander
Khaira-Entwistle-GaudetteStillman-Murphy
Jones-Kalynuk
Phillips-BeaudinLankinen
Delia— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 29, 2021
Toews will be alongside Dominik Kubalík and Philipp Kurashev tonight. Kubalík and Toews found nearly instant chemistry during the 2019-20 season, Kubalík’s rookie year that saw him score 30 goals.
Jonathan Toews gearing up for preseason opener tonight. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/pYvQKLK4Xs
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 29, 2021
After playing every day so far during Blackhawks training camp, this will be Toews’ first test of the waters coming back to the club. After missing all of last season with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, there were plenty of questions surrounding his health and energy levels coming into camp. So far, Toews has looked sharp and fit in practice.
#Blackhawks power play units tonight:
PP1: Dach, Kubalik, Borgstrom, Kurashev, Kalynuk
PP2: Toews, Reichel, Nylander, Gaudette, Beaudin pic.twitter.com/6M8eFC9sDH
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 29, 2021
There’s plenty to keep an eye on in tonight’s preseason-opener, including the first game for rookie Lukas Reichel, Henrik Borgström, and Jujhar Khaira with the Blackhawks, as well as getting to see Kirby Dach back on the ice after his injury-shortened season last year. But it’s clear that Toews’ return is the main attraction at the United Center tonight.
