Toews, Kane Finish Impressive First Postseasons

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs were a coming-out party for Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but it was also a learning experience.

Making their first appearances in the postseason after just two years in the League, the Blackhawks’ dynamic duo acquitted themselves quite well. Kane had 9 goals and 5 assists in 17 games, good for 10th in the League in points after three rounds, and Toews posted 7 goals and 6 assists in 17 games.

Against the Red Wings, however, the sledding was tougher.

Toews had three goals in the five games in the Western Conference Finals, which isn’t too shabby. But the Blackhawks’ captain was a minus-3 in the series and had just 12 shots on goal.

Kane's series against Detroit was even harder, posting just one goal (albeit a backhander beauty to tie Game 5 late in the third period) and one assist in the five games. He was a minus-6 for the series with a mere six shots on goal.

Toews simply chalked it up to what happens when you’re playing against the best, and marveled at the fact they were held in check by the Red Wings without Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk for most of the series.

"They're a good team. We knew that all along," said Toews. "I think it’ll help us (down the road) quite a bit. It speaks to the depth of their organization, with two of their best players (Lidstrom and Datsyuk) not playing. Other guys step in and they don’t miss a beat. They're a great team. We knew that before the series and we still know it now."

Toews, 21, and Kane, 20, still put together fantastic postseasons despite receiving a tough lesson from the defending-champion Red Wings. Just imagine what they can do in the future. You know that's what Chicago fans are thinking.

Contact Dave Lozo at dlozo@nhl.com



Author: Dave Lozo | NHL.com Staff Writer