NEWSLETTER
After an 8-5 wild win over the Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks had seemingly gained some confidence in a big win over a rival, looking to take that momentum into tonight’s game against the vaunted Colorado Avalanche. That was until this afternoon when the team placed Captain Jonathan Toews into concussion protocol.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Forward Jonathan Toews will not participate in morning skate today (concussion protocol). pic.twitter.com/MCBwtNXEmE
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 28, 2022
Talk about losing what little steam was starting to build for Chicago.
Here’s the potential play that may have caused the issue from Wednesday night:
Here's a look at the play that might be the reason why Jonathan Toews is in concussion protocol.
He took a hit from Joe Veleno in the third period on Wednesday. Looked to be in some discomfort on the bench but finished the game. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OZYnt939QR
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 28, 2022
While Toews has not been his usual self on the ice this season, recording four goals and 19 points in 43 games this season, he has been playing much better as of late with ten points in his last 18 games since December 9. He’s been the best faceoff-winner for the Blackhawks this season, ranking fourth in the NHL among players to take at least 400 faceoffs with a 58.6% win-rate.
Toews has had concussion issues in the past and is already playing this season after missing all of last year due to health issues. At some point, you have to start to wonder what the future holds for his playing career, now dealing with yet another concussion issue.
This is a big blow to the club as they try to hold onto any sliver of hope to make a postseason run. Losing Toews creates a big gap in the lineup that Chicago really doesn’t have a quality-enough player to fill. It’ll be up to Dylan Strome, Kirby Dach, Ryan Carpenter, and Henrik Borgström to fill the void down the middle of the lineup.
The Blackhawks will be in action tonight against the Colorado Avalanche in Chicago.
