Toews, who hasn’t played since Jan. 28 due to symptoms of Long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, is in a race against time to return this season.
Finishing 32nd in the final NHL standings and guaranteeing a top-three pick in the draft lottery now scheduled for May 8 would benefit the organization long-term. But that’s not on this team’s mind, and they’re significantly overachieving right now.
Thanks to Dach’s mental maturation and the Canadiens’ trust in him, he’s the team’s leading scorer since New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toews remains away from the Blackhawks and Alex Stalock actually isn’t concussed.