Toews returns with game-winner for Hawks
Not only did Jonathan Toews return to the Blackhawks' lineup Monday night, he scored the winning goal.
Toews' goal with 5:27 to play gave the Hawks a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center, snapping a three-game losing streak.
“It was a big game for us to get out of that rut,” Toews said.
Patrick Sharp scored 2 goals and Marian Hossa added his first in 10 games to back the rock-solid goaltending of rookie Corey Crawford.
It was Crawford helping preserve the much-needed win with a big glove save on Anze Kopitar with 15 seconds to play.
Toews got credit for his 16th goal when a clearing try by Kings defenseman Drew Doughty went off the captain's skate.
“It's nice to get a few breaks every once in awhile,” Toews said. “It was an ugly win, but we'll take it.”
Toews, who returned after missing only two games with a right-shoulder injury, also assisted on Sharp's second-period, power-play goal.
Toews did not believe he rushed back too soon with the Hawks on a three-game losing streak and starting the day and 11th in the Western Conference standings.
“I can honestly say I don't think there are risks coming back tonight,” Toews told blackhawks.com.
Twice Sharp scored goals that gave the Hawks leads.
Sharp's second goal and 23rd of the season came at 4:27 of the third period to make it 3-2. But the Hawks took 3 straight penalties, the last of which by Toews resulted in Ryan Smyth's second goal of the night with 7:18 to play.
The Hawks were 0-2 without Toews and also lost him for most of the St. Louis game last week, which they also lost.
The Hawks played a dismal first period and were fortunate to come out tied at 1-1 on Hossa's late power-play goal. Crawford was sharp in the first period and also got help with the Kings hitting two posts.
Crawford had no chance to stop Michal Handzus' redirection on a power play early in the first period.
Hossa's goal was just his second in 19 games and ended a nine-game goal drought. Hossa last scored Nov. 14 against Anaheim.
The Hawks had more jump and energy in the second period and went ahead 2-1 on Sharp's power-play goal at 7:11 off a nice feed from Patrick Kane.
But a turnover by Jack Skille late in the second period led to the tying goal by Smyth, who got behind the defense and beat Crawford on a breakaway.
Skille failed to get the puck deep into the Kings' zone and the play was turned around quickly.
Tim Sassone's game tracker
<b>Three stars</b>
<b>1. Patrick Sharp, Hawks: </b>Twice put the Hawks ahead with clutch goals.
<b>2. Jonathan Toews, Hawks: </b>The captain returned from injury with the game-winning goal and an assist.
<b>3. Ryan Smyth, Kings: </b>Two goals and was around the net all night.
<b>Chasing points</b>
The Hawks reached the season's halfway mark with a record of 21-17-3. They are on pace for 90 points, which might not be enough to make the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference.