Jonathan Toews: Should the Chicago Blackhawk Play in the Next 2 Games?

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is very close to returning to the ice for the final two games of the season.

It's a decision that only Toews can make.

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"It's up to him," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's progressing enough, he'll make that call."

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The Blackhawks have made it clear that it's not about symptoms or conditioning, but rather when the timing feels right for Toews to return.

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"It's tough to know 110 percent if the time is right to go back in and play," he said. "Have to have that gut instinct that it feels right it's time to play." 

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So the real question is: Should the Blackhawks bring in Captain Serious for the final two games of the regular season? If they choose to do so, the Blackhawks might regret it if Toews starts to exhibit concussion-like symptoms before the playoffs start.

The risk might not be worth it as Toews may be a target in games against Minnesota and Detroit. A big hit may send him back on injured reserve and out of the playoffs.

Consider that Toews hid his concussion symptoms before he was forced to sit out of games and take time to heal. Might he be coming back too early this time, saying that he feels 100 percent when in fact he really doesn't?

The determination of Toews might be his downfall if this turns out to be true, but for the sake of Blackhawks' fans everywhere, let's hope it's not.

Toews returning to action, however, might be a good thing, allowing him to regain his superior form and shaking off any rust that might have crept into his game.

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"I would love to play in these couple games before we go into the playoffs," Toews stated. "[I'll have] fresh legs and emotionally, mentally, I'll be ready to play hockey more than anything."  

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Whatever the case may be, it would be nice to see Toews out there taking faceoffs and getting into a playoff mindset.

The Blackhawks will also be getting top defenseman Duncan Keith back for Sunday's game against the Wild. 

Getting their top defenseman and forward back will surely spark a Blackhawks lineup that is already on the upswing. The return of Keith and Toews will also help the Blackhawks defensively as they allowed 12 goals in their last three games.

Follow @Blackhawks_JM.