Blackhawks' Tootoo gaining confidence

TORONTO - Two weeks ago, Jordin Tootoo was all but resigned to his fate. He'd be an extra in the postseason, a locker-room guy, a character guy, there for moral support and practice work. A healthy scratch in 14 of the 15 games during the Hawks' hottest stretch of the season, the veteran winger was on the outside looking in. And in his first game back in the lineup, on March 3, he played less than four minutes.

Then came his breakout game in Nashville the next night - a goal, a handful of other chances, a fight, a signature effort. And suddenly it's looking more and more likely that Tootoo will indeed be a regular in the postseason lineup.

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