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What he said: http://hockeenight.com
Nice, simple, to the point blog by my friend, Frank "Twinkle Toes" Nova at Hockeenight, on the increasingly evident, generational greatness of one Jonathan Toews.
Yep, in the annals of NHL history, last night's game in Buffalo will likely go down as a meaningless for playoff-bound team over a lottery team.
That said, two points could make the difference for the Blackhawks when the season ends between being a #2 seed/division winner—and all the playoff advantages that go with it—and being a #3 finisher in the Central Division.
And it was Toews, first tying the game with Scott Darling pulled, and 47 seconds later winning the game, who got the Hawks the win.
Full marks to the Sabres, they competed, and caught the Hawks napping in the second of back to backs, and their second back to back in less than a week. But the Hawks rose up when they had to, continuing a now 4-game winning streak.
In that regard, there's another dimension to Toews' heroics: the Hawks come home with all the good juju of a winning streak, instead of scratching their heads over a loss to the Sabres.
Coming home to face possible playoff opponent St. Louis on Sunday. Two more points at stake. Not to mention stuff like home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
So, no, it doesn't quite rank up there with two Stanley Cups, Two Olympic Gold Medals, a World Junior Championship (all of which Toews figured hugely in), a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Selke, but last night's game was another small skin on the world of a great player and a great captain—and maybe a small step toward another big skin on the wall.
I'll have a Blues Preview tomorrow,
JJ