How to keep the Chicago Blackhawks at bay this season
By Steve Mahler CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is confident he can stay healthy.
Toews was healthy enough to play all 82 games in 2016-17 and was named the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.
That season, he scored 37 goals and added 59 assists.
The Blackhawks are hoping he can get back to his 2015-16 form.
The 33-year-old Toews had a career-high 82 games last season, including the playoffs, but missed the playoffs due to injury.
He has missed 20 games in each of the past two seasons due to injuries, but he has played in eight playoff games this season.
He also played in 10 playoff games last year, including a Game 7 win over the Washington Capitals.
Toivoews said he wants to play more this season, but there are other areas that need improvement.
“I want to play better on the puck, better at getting my teammates involved in the play,” Toews said.
“It’s been my whole life.
When I get older, I want to be more aggressive on the ice, play more in the offensive zone and go to the net more.
I’m not saying I’m going to stop scoring.
I want more goals.
I don’t think I’ll be scoring as many.
But I know I can get better at that.”
The Blackhawks won the Presidents’ Trophy and are in the hunt for their first Stanley Cup since 2008.