Before loss to Blues, Toews says he might take road trip with Blackhawks

When Jonathan Toews made an unexpected appearance at Tuesday's morning skate, many of us figured he was still quite a ways from being able to return to game action.

Maybe he plays in one or two of the final home games.

That was the consensus among us scribes.

But when asked if he might join the Blackhawks on a three-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Calgary, Toews told the Daily Herald, “It's possible.”

Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, it's important to see how Toews responds to Friday's full practice. After Thursday's morning skate, coach Luke Richardson noted Toews was “in great spirits” and wanted to slide right back into the game-day routine.

“I think he was chomping at the bit to start his normal drill, and J.J. (Khaira) took his spot,” Richardson said before the Hawks dropped a 5-3 decision to the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. “So he was slapping the puck around, a little mad about that. So he's becoming his old self again.”

The Hawks' three-game road trip begins Tuesday in Calgary. After that, they'll play at Vancouver on April 6 and at Seattle on April 8. If Toews travels, he'll definitely play at some point.

“He's not going if he's not playing,” Richardson said.

If Toews is going to retire, it would be terrific if he could suit up one or two more times in his native country. One has to imagine the press boxes — not to mention the stands — would be overflowing.

The Hawks could greatly benefit on the ice as well. Although these games are essentially meaningless, up-and-comers like Lukas Reichel can use as much tutelage as possible.

“He's always open when you need help,” Reichel said. “He's teaching you and giving you tips and advice. He talks in a way where, at the end, it really makes sense and makes you better.”

The Hawks have been struggling to score of late, which should come as no surprise. After all, Richardson is trotting out a lineup that features only four double-digit goal scorers in Taylor Raddysh (20), Andreas Athanasiou (15), Seth Jones (11) and Tyler Johnson (10).

Thursday's game was an utter snooze fest in the early going, with neither team managing a shot on goal for more than seven minutes.

The offenses woke up in the second period, though, with the Blues taking a 3-1 lead.

The third period — perhaps thanks to race-car driver Kurt Busch hopping into the TV booth — then resembled a NASCAR race, with players zooming up and down the ice, and pucks flying into the net.

The Hawks cut 2-goal leads down to 1 twice, thanks to tallies by Johnson at 0:31 and Boris Katchouk at 10:01.

Then came a late one-timer from Reichel that seemed destined to tie the game.

“I think half our bench jumped up,” Richardson said.

But the puck barely grazed Justin Faulk, clinked off the post and slid into goalie Jordan Binnington's skate. Brandon Saad then iced the Blues' victory with an empty-netter with 1:13 remaining.

The Hawks (24-45-6) have just 10 goals during a losing streak that's now reached seven games.

Still, there were bright spots against St. Louis.

Reichel (assist, 5 total shot attempts) had one of his strongest games, Johnson (assist, 10 total shot attempts) continues to play with passion, Katchouk (5 goals) has really turned a corner, and Raddysh (2 assists, 3 SOG) was noticeable much of the night.

“I liked how we pushed back,” Richardson said. “The power play (2-for-3) was much better; they moved the puck sharper. Penalty killing has been really excellent pressuring and not letting the other team set up. The 6-on-5, you couldn't get much better other than putting it in the back of the net. ...

We did everything right there at the end. We just couldn't get it in. That's basically how we started the game, too.”