Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews Will Play Monday Against Kings

According to ESPN Chicago and the Chicago Blackhawks' website, Blackhawks' captain, Jonathan Toews, will play Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings in L.A.

If you're a Hawks fan, this could not get any better.

The Hawks are coming off a painful 2-1 loss to Anaheim Sunday night. 

The absence of Toews on the ice has been apparent and hurt the Hawks dramatically.

Without Toews, the Hawks have been terrible on the faceoff, winning only 18 of 50 last night, or 36 percent. It was better last Thursday against the San Jose Sharks at 45 percent, but there is a noticeable difference when Toews isn't participating in the faceoff.

Toews has a season faceoff winning percentage of 59 percent, a remarkably high percentage for any player in the NHL.   

Winning the majority of faceoffs is key to winning a hockey game. It allows your team to control the puck and run any plays you had drawn up. It also contributes to more time with the puck and less time for your opponent. 

That seemingly small victory is key to jump start any plays, or if you want any time to retain some momentum while being able to move the puck around. 

The Blackhawks have been terrible moving the puck around the last two games. That led to disorganization between players. 

Coach Joel Quenneville had to mix up lines and put people at center that normally don't have that duty full time because of Toews' injury. 

Dave Bolland and Tomas Kopecky both struggled last night with faceoffs.

The effect of losing a player, whom I consider to be very underrated and overlooked, who doesn't get enough credit for how much he does, was evident in the games the Hawks had to battle without him. 

Today that ends. 

The Blackhawks play the Los Angeles Kings tonight (Monday) at 9 PM EST.