BY LEN ZIEHM lziehm@suntimes.com
The way Jonathan Toews has been going, it's hard to imagine he's the same player who didn't score a goal until the 13th game of the season.
Toews has found himself a comfortable place in front of the net, where he's in position for tip-ins and deflections. In the last eight games, the 20-year-old Blackhawks captain has scored nine goals and assisted on four others.
The way Jonathan Toews has been going, it's hard to imagine he's the same player who didn't score a goal until the 13th game of the season.
Toews has found himself a comfortable place in front of the net, where he's in position for tip-ins and deflections. In the last eight games, the 20-year-old Blackhawks captain has scored nine goals and assisted on four others.
''Jonny's got a hot stick tipping it around the net,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. ''Usually good things happen when you penetrate that area, and Jonny's been playing very well.''
Toews has 26 goals and 53 points in 61 games entering tonight's meeting with Anaheim at the United Center. Last season, when he was one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, he had 24 goals and 54 points in 64 games. His steady improvement has been a huge factor in the Hawks' much-improved season.
''He's a special player and will continue to improve his game and be a better pro,'' Quenneville said. ''He's learning things on and off the ice, and his maturity has been very rapid.''
Toews' tip-in goal in the first period of a 4-2 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday gave him a streak of four periods with a goal.
''I got a lucky one to start off and figured I might go on a run and get a couple more,'' said Toews, who recorded his first NHL hat trick in a loss to Pittsburgh on Friday. ''It's fun when the pucks are going in and you're having success around the net. But all our lines are playing good.''
Tonight's game completes a three-game homestand and is the last game before Wednesday's trade deadline. Unlike most recent years, the Hawks don't figure to tear up a roster that has been successful. General manager Dale Tallon also is limited by salary-cap considerations, but the deadline is always a precarious time for players.
''Our guys have been good professionals throughout this process,'' Quenneville said. ''I don't feel it'll be that big a distraction. The trickier ones are when the deadline is on a game day.''
Quenneville said the Hawks' biggest need is for another center to supplement Toews and win faceoffs. Toews is the only Hawks center who has won more draws than he has lost (508-443).
Toews has 26 goals and 53 points in 61 games entering tonight's meeting with Anaheim at the United Center. Last season, when he was one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, he had 24 goals and 54 points in 64 games. His steady improvement has been a huge factor in the Hawks' much-improved season.
''He's a special player and will continue to improve his game and be a better pro,'' Quenneville said. ''He's learning things on and off the ice, and his maturity has been very rapid.''
Toews' tip-in goal in the first period of a 4-2 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday gave him a streak of four periods with a goal.
''I got a lucky one to start off and figured I might go on a run and get a couple more,'' said Toews, who recorded his first NHL hat trick in a loss to Pittsburgh on Friday. ''It's fun when the pucks are going in and you're having success around the net. But all our lines are playing good.''
Tonight's game completes a three-game homestand and is the last game before Wednesday's trade deadline. Unlike most recent years, the Hawks don't figure to tear up a roster that has been successful. General manager Dale Tallon also is limited by salary-cap considerations, but the deadline is always a precarious time for players.
''Our guys have been good professionals throughout this process,'' Quenneville said. ''I don't feel it'll be that big a distraction. The trickier ones are when the deadline is on a game day.''
Quenneville said the Hawks' biggest need is for another center to supplement Toews and win faceoffs. Toews is the only Hawks center who has won more draws than he has lost (508-443).
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