Toews to return, but Sharp still a maybe
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Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville had Brendan Morrison centering the second line for Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp at practice Monday in Vancouver.
“If that’s the case, I’ll really be pumped up about it,” Morrison told reporters.
“He said there was maybe a possibility of sliding into that second line slot, but we all know that’s not set in stone yet.”
The 36-year-old Morrison met up with his new teammates in Vancouver for his first practice since being acquired from Calgary on Friday.
Sharp returned to practice for the first time since breaking his left wrist on Jan. 8 against Detroit when he was slashed by Jiri Hudler. However, his status for Tuesday’s game will be decided after the morning skate.
Quenneville said Sharp “could play.”
Jonathan Toews practiced Monday as well and will return against the Canucks.
Toews missed the last game prior to the all-star break with a left hand injury.
Toews centered the first line at Monday’s practice between Patrick Kane and Viktor Stalberg.
With the acquisition of Morrison, the third line saw Dave Bolland centering for Marcus Kruger and Andrew Shaw.
Who has the edge?
The Hawks and the Blues appear to have the toughest schedules of the four teams looking to win the Central Division.
The Hawks will play 20 of their final 32 games on the road while St. Louis has 20 of its final 33 games away from the Scottrade Center.
The Blues entered the break on a 7-0-2 run.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings play 18 of their last 32 games at Joe Louis, where they have won their last 17 in a row.
Nashville, which returns from the break after winning 12 of its last 14 games, has 17 road games to finish the season and 15 at home.
“Everyone in our division seems to be rolling and we’re kind of up and down,” Hawks coach Corey Crawford said.
Luongo to sit:
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault will start backup Cory Schneider in goal Tuesday instead of Roberto Luongo.
Vigneault made the decision because he felt Schneider was able to get more work in during the all-star break.
“Louie has got family and kids, and this was a good mental break for him,” Vigneault said.
“Cory doesn’t have a family yet, so he could work out during the all-star break.”
