Blues lead best-of-seven opening round NHL playoff series 1-0.
Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews vs. Blues’ David Backes
Toews
Position: Center
Number: 19
Height, weight: 6-2, 208
Shoots: Left
Born: April 29, 1988 (Age 25)
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba
2014 regular-season statistics: GP: 78; Goals: 28; Assists: 40; Points: 68; Plus-26; Penalty minutes: 34.
Playoff experience: GP: 76; Goals: 20; Assists: 46; Points: 66; Plus-7; Penalty minutes: 56.
Backes
Position: Center
Number: 42
Height, weight: 6-3, 221
Shoots: Right
Born: May 1, 1984 (Age 29)
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minn.
2014 regular-season statistics: GP: 74; Goals: 27; Assists: 30; Points: 57; Plus-14; Penalty minutes: 119.
Playoff experience: GP: 20; Goals: 4; Assists: 7; Points: 11; Minus-5; Penalty minutes: 30.
Chris Kuc says: The captains of their respective teams set the tone for how their clubs play on the ice. The Blues follow Backes’ wrecking-ball style by hitting anything that moves while also displaying scoring ability. There is not a harder working player on the ice than Toews, and his Hawks teammates must follow suit if they are to even the series at 1-1.
