The Chicago Blackhawks will have center Jonathan Toews and defenseman Brent Seabrook back in the lineup against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. The team announced that the two stars would return from their injuries following practice earlier in the day.
Toews has been out since Nov. 23 after suffering a back injury against the San Jose Sharks. The team has been cautious with the captain — rightfully so — but it was a positive sign that he was willing to get on a plane and fly with the team to New York City.
On Tuesday, Toews said he was not only good enough to get back into the lineup, but won’t have a minutes restriction at all, too.
Jonathan Toews is indeed in tonight. Says he sees no reason to limit his minutes or tone down his game. Good to go. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) December 13, 2016
Chicago posted a 5-2-2 record over nine games without its captain. The team got some solid efforts from its other centers, including Marcus Kruger, who took advantage of some of the more offensive opportunities given to him.
The Blackhawks have also been without Seabrook since he suffered an upper-body injury a week ago in a 4-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes. He wasn’t skating as recently as four days ago, but has progressed quickly enough to get back on the ice Tuesday evening.
It goes without saying that this is great news for the Blackhawks. They’re a much better team with Toews and Seabrook in the lineup. Once goaltender Corey Crawford is back between the pipes, Chicago will be rolling at full strength again.