The NHL season is past the official half way point in games played and the unofficial mark of the All-Star Game. With the season now getting down the home stretch, the talk shifts to playoff positioning and post season awards. Forwards Johnathan Toews and Patrick Kane are both keys to those conversations
Chicago struggled through January going 6-6, the only time they haven’t been over .500 this season. The average play dropped the perennial contenders to third in the Central Division, though still 10 points clear of being out of a playoff spot.
As the Blackhawks try to climb up the standings, their dynamic duo is being looked at in two different ways. Kane has jolted himself into the conversation for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the league’s most valuable player. Toews continues to show how much he means to the team, despite not being a legitimate MVP contender at this time.
Patrick Kane is a Hart Trophy Contender.
Kane’s 56 points gives him second most in the NHL, only two behind leader Jakub Voracek. His 20 power play points put him in the top-five and his five game-winning goals are one off the league lead. In short, Kane has matured on and off the ice in ways not many people expected; add in his recent tear of 30 points in the past 21 games.
During the All-Star Game Fantasy Draft it was clear many players were enjoying their experience. Most had cups full of something during the process. A few players were even noticed to be a little tipsy at the event. Watching Kane assist his team at the desk, it appeared he was the soberest person in the room. This was not the Kane people have been used to seeing.
Over the past two years the young kid has grown to a maturing adult. There are no longer pictures on social media popping up of the Buffalo native partying at college campuses with co-eds.
Instead, Kane is giving the Blackhawks maximum effort every game. Head Coach Joel Quenneville believes in him more than ever as seen by the amount of double-shifting Kane is getting in tied and one-goal games.
All the stats and work seen on the ice are certainly giving voters a reason to vote Kane the first American-born player to ever win the Hart. While that is important there is still no doubt the heart of the team is Toews.
The Hawks’ captain continues to put in workman effort almost every game. Flash and style points just aren’t in his DNA. Toews may never lead the team in points, but will always be seen as the true leader of the group.
Johnathan Toews hopes to lead the Hawks to his third Stanley Cup.
He plays both ends of the ice and seems to always be in consideration for the Selke Award given to the best defensive forward. His faceoff win percentage continues to rank in the top 10 amongst centers.
Even though he doesn’t lead the team in goals, his 15 goals could be the most important number the Blackhawks are looking at down the stretch. He has scored in 13 different contests this season, all wins. Simply put, when Toews scores the Blackhawks win.
In the new fancy stats era, some want to overlook the traditional stats. Sometimes there is more to the story, but with Captain Serious the numbers don’t lie.
Toews has scored 34 of his 42 points in Hawks’ victories. He is +26 in wins while a -11 in loses. He is the heartbeat that surrounds the Indian-head sweater.
There is no question Chicago has one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league. Kane may lose Hart votes because people will say he is a product of having the talent around him. Toews doesn’t need votes to earn his award; he is the heart of the Blackhawks this season.
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Email Adam at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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