Swollen and stitched, Toews plans to play
Blackhawks rookie Jonathan Toews on Monday had a face only a mother could love -- badly swollen lip, a 50-stitch cut under his nose and inside his mouth, and a chipped tooth.
Yet Toews managed to shoot reporters an "Are you kidding me?" look when asked if he would play tonight at Minnesota.
"Yeah, absolutely," Toews said.
Upon further review of the video of Sunday's hit on Toews by Vancouver's Matt Pettinger, the Hawks were slightly less angry. While Pettinger still came in a bit high with his elbows, Toews said he might have cut himself with his own stick while trying to protect his face.
"I've only seen it a couple times and maybe it was a little bit late," Toews said. "From what I hear, it might have been my own stick when I got it up to protect myself. It's unfortunate the way it played out, but it happens. I didn't see it coming until I turned."
What exactly happened doesn't hide the fact that teams are taking runs at Toews and Patrick Kane.
"I guess I have to keep my head up a little bit more," Toews said. "There are some parts of the ice you have to expect it, but I have to be smarter about it and be ready for that kind of thing."
Toews will wear a full cage for the next few games to protect his mouth.
"It probably could have been worse, but it was bad enough," Hawks coach Denis Savard said. "It was kind of a late hit, and (Pettinger's) fists were up, too."
While Savard especially cares about what happens to his own guys, he thinks the NHL should be concerned when any elite player is felled by a questionable hit.
"Like I said, our good players, people come and watch them play and we've got to be careful," Savard said. "I don't like to see an opposing player hurt like that.
"I'd just like to see us protect ourselves more. It's a tough game because it goes fast, but we as a group, and not just the officials -- players, too, they've got to look out for each other. It's a physical game and that's not going to change, but let's face it, people come watch them play -- the (Sidney) Crosbys, the (Alexander) Ovechkins, the (Evgeni) Malkins, and you want them in the lineup. Same with our kids."
Toews didn't practice Monday, but that was because he was at the dentist getting work done. The 19-year-old said it was the first tooth he lost playing hockey.
"I've been pretty lucky so far," he said. "I guess it's part of the game."
With Toews able to play, Savard will be able to keep his top line intact. Savard used Andrew Ladd with Toews and Kane against the Canucks and the results were good. Ladd scored the first goal of the game on a Kane rebound.
"I don't think it was anything I did," Ladd said of the line's success. "Those are two pretty special kids to play with."
If Savard has been searching for the right fit at left wing to play with Toews and Kane, it could be Ladd is that guy.
"He's a big body and he works hard and wants to score," Toews said. "I thought we worked out as a line fine and made things happen."
Tonight's faceoff
Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild at the Excel Energy Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
The skinny: Tough week for the Hawks, starting with tonight's game against the Wild. Then it's back home for games Wednesday against Anaheim and Friday with San Jose. The Wild has struggled a bit at home, going 3-2-2 in its last seven games. Minnesota's last seven victories have all been by 1 goal, which is a team record. Enforcer Derek Boogaard is out with a sore back. The Wild leads the season series 2-1, but the Hawks won the last meeting 3-0 on Jan. 20 at the United Center.
Player to watch: Jonathan Toews. Hawks' rookie will play despite suffering a 50-stitch cut under his nose and a chipped tooth on Sunday.
Next: Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
-- Tim Sassone