Hawks' Toews confident he'll play Thursday

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews skated on the first line with Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane at practice Monday and he he's “confident” he'll be in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Phoenix Coyotes.

His coach, however, was less strident and more reserved.

“We're hopeful that's the case,” head coach Joel Quenneville said.

Ÿ Mike Spellman will have more on the Blackhawks later today as they prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs.