The Chicago Blackhawks will continue to be without Jonathan Toews as they prepare to host the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday night.
While there is no official date set for Toews’ return, head coach Joel Quenneville told reporters on Tuesday that the club’s captain could be back at practice later this week, followed by game action on the road a week from now.
“He’s still off the ice for a few more days,” Quenneville said. “Hopefully he gets back out there later in the week, and once he gets on the ice, hopefully he’ll be very close to going.”
“I would hope for sure on the New York trip,” he said.
The Blackhawks will visit New York to take on the Rangers on Dec. 13, followed by the Islanders two nights later.
Tuesday will be Toews’ seventh missed game since suffering a back injury against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 23. The centreman was initially listed as day-to-day, and few updates have been released on the star forward in the nearly two weeks he’s been out.
Chicago has gone 3-2-1 in his absence.
Prior to his injury, Toews had registered four goals and eight assists in 21 games.
The Blackhawks have also been without starting goalie Corey Crawford for the last two games, and will continue to play on without him as the netminder spends some time on injured reserve as he heals from an appendectomy. He is expected to miss two to three weeks.