The Chicago Blackhawks, already without Patrick Kane, will also be without their star centre and captain Jonathan Toews for the remainder of the regular season. The team announced that Toews will sit for the rest of the schedule in order to rest his injured shoulder but is expected to be ready for the NHL playoffs.

Coach Q: Toews will sit out for the remaining regular-season games but is expected to be “100 percent” for the playoffs. #Blackhawks — Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2014

Toews suffered the injury in a March 30th game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hit by Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik while the two were chasing a loose puck in the second period. Toews left the game and did not return.

Toews has scored 28 goals and 40 assists for 68 points and is a plus 26 in 76 games for the Blackhawks this season. Last year he led the Blackhawks to the second Stanley Cup they have won since he joined the team. He also won his second Olympic gold medal with Team Canada in Sochi in February. The third overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft, Toews is nicknamed Captain Serious and is considered one of the best all-around players in the NHL.

The injury likely means even more responsibility for star rookie Teuvo Teravainen who has impressed since being added to the Blackhawks roster when Kane was injured. He will get plenty of responsibility over the next six games as the Blackhawks prepare the youngster for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Hawks sit third in the NHL’s central division and seem destined for a first round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. The only thing to be determined is who will have home ice in the playoffs. The Avalanche have their own injury issues with star centre Matt Duchene currently out with a knee injury.

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