Not everything was bad for the Blackhawks in their 5-2 loss to the Lightning on Tuesday night at the United Center.
Sure, the third period was an unmitigated disaster with the Hawks surrendering four unanswered goals. But the play of Jonathan Toews over the first 40 minutes was a good sign for the home team.
Toews scored the game’s first goal in the first period, then assisted on Duncan Keith’s go-ahead goal in the second. Toews has six points in his last two games after compiling only two in his previous six.
And Toews was active all over the ice when he didn’t have the puck. He drew a penalty on Alex Killorn in the second and had multiple scoring chances, finishing with four shots on goal.
“There’s no doubt that bounces bring a little confidence,” Toews said. “Unfortunately tonight I was out for a handful of goals against, too, so it comes at the expense of playing well defensively.”
Toews was on the ice for four of the Lightning’s five goals, rendering him a minus-2 for the night. But his offensive play in the first two periods — coming on the heels of his one-goal, three-assist effort Sunday against the Canucks — had the Hawks ahead entering the third period.
His recent surge gives him nine goals and 19 assists on the season.
“There’s no doubt I was playing with confidence the first two periods, having the puck,” he said. “The puck just seemed to be coming to me. It was nice to feel it out there and make plays and be in on a couple goals. …
“I wasn’t good enough defensively tonight, but you want to keep playing the same way I have the last couple of games.”
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