Toews always honored to be an all-star

For the seventh time in nine seasons, Jonathan Toews is an all-star, something he says never gets old.

"It's an honor every time," Toews said.

With 16 goals and 15 assists, the Chicago Blackhawks' captain isn't having an overly impressive season statistically. The goal number looks fairly impressive, but 6 have come either in 3-on-3 overtime or into empty nets.

He admitted that "a number of guys" could have been going to Nashville in his place for the game on Jan. 31. Still, he will never take the selection for granted.

"For (Patrick Kane) and I obviously it's special," said Toews, who had a goal and 2 assists in the Hawks' 6-3 victory over Colorado on Sunday at the United Center. "We know that it's a limited amount of times you get to play in this game. Got to enjoy it and got to take advantage of it. It'll be fun."

Coach Joel Quenneville said he sees no difference in how Toews is playing this season.

"At the end of the day, Johnny plays the right way," Quenneville said. "He gives us a chance to win, he makes our team better, he makes guys around him better, plays in all situations. … I'm going to go on and on and on about how important he is to our team game. Hasn't changed to me."

One change:

After being a healthy scratch for four straight games, Brandon Mashinter was back in the lineup Sunday against Colorado. He certainly made the most of the opportunity, scoring the Hawks' first goal at 8:27 of the first period.

Mashinter, skating on the fourth line in place of Bryan Bickell, tapped in a rebound on a Ryan Garbutt blast from the left point. It was Mashinter's second goal of the season.

"That's what we stress, that's what we talk about - ugly goals - his game's got to be like that," coach Joel Quenneville said.

Since being called up in mid-November, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mashinter has stuck on the Hawks' roster despite playing only 5-7 minutes a night.

"I like Mash in practice. He works his tail off, he takes practice like it's a game," Quenneville said. "He does what he can to keep himself ready to play. Nice response when he got in."

Rolling:

Sunday's game was the fifth of 14 in 24 days for the Hawks, a busy stretch before they get a week off for the all-star break.

By winning seven straight, coach Joel Quenneville's squad has cemented itself in second place in the Central Division. And as far as captain Jonathan Toews is concerned, it's awfully good timing.

"Going into the break we want to be in a good spot," Toews said, "because we know for teams that are kind of in the bunch, it's playoff hockey after the all-star break all the way into the end of the regular season.

"We've been in that position before where every night 2 points are on the line and we know how important they are. We're just trying to maybe have that mentality a little bit earlier so there's a little less anxiety in thinking about points later on in the season."

Slap shots:

Coach Joel Quenneville said the Hawks are hopeful Richard Panik, whom they traded for last week, can join the team Monday. … Patrick Kane has taken 30 shots (19 on net) in the last three games. Kane also is 5 goals from tying his career high of 30 (2009-10).