It has been a tough season for the Chicago Blackhawks. They have the third worst record in the western conference with only 46 points this season. Much of that has to do with the lack of offense, as the Blackhawks have only scored 134 goals this season in 54 games played. That ranks 29th in the NHL. However, Chicago is about to get a much needed boost offensively as both Jonathan Toews and Tyler Johnson are likely to return to the ice for Thursday nights game against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Blackhawks will get a big bump with the expected returns of Jonathan Toews and Tyler Johnson.
But how much ice time will they see?https://t.co/y2dTFuJsjj
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) March 3, 2022
Toews has been out of action since January 26th with concussion symptoms. Meanwhile, Johnson has been sidelined for even longer. Johnson suffered a neck injury in late October that required surgery.
The addition of both Toews and Johnson to the lineup is a welcomed sight to Blackhawks coach Derek King, as the Chicago Tribute's Phil Thompson noted.
“We could have a full boat, which would be a nice change…
“It opens everything,” King said of adding Toews and Johnson. The lines are a little better-looking on paper… It’s always nice when you’re going into a match, you’re not (thinking), ‘Who do I have?’ … The young kids have done a good job. It’s not an easy position for those guys.”
The question remains how much ice time will the Chicago forwards play in their first game back.
“They won’t be happy with me,” King said. “They’re probably going to want 20-plus minutes right off the bat. I can’t — they won’t be able to handle it. So I’ll just have to monitor it, pick my spots for Tazer, don’t kill him too early.”
The Blackhawks are well out of playoff contention. But with the addition of Toews and Johnson to the lineup, it's not out of the realm of possibility with 28 games remaining.
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