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Toews, Blackhawks ready to visit Blue Jackets

Feb 13, 2008 - 11:30 AM Chicago (24-25-6) at Columbus (26-23-9) 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Rookie Jonathan Toews finally returned to the ice, but the results left much to be desired.

The Chicago Blackhawks will look to bounce back from a controversial loss when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Toews, who missed the previous 16 games with a left knee sprain, returned to the lineup and had an assist on Sunday in the Blackhawks' 3-2 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

The game's conclusion was somewhat controversial, though, as Vancouver's Ryan Shannon scored the decisive tally in the bonus format when he spun into Nikolai Khabibulin, colliding with the netminder just as he stuffed in the goal. Khabibulin then delivered a punch to the back of Shannon's head as skated away.

"I guess there's no such rule against it," Khabibulin said. "There's no rule, I guess he can do that but he's going to pay the price for that. Show me one goaltender who's going to be happy if he stays in the blue and somebody bumps him. I don't care if it's a penalty shot or not."

The Blue Jackets will look to avoid a third straight loss in their final contest before embarking on a five-game road trip. Columbus has lost six of its previous seven contests.

All-Star Rick Nash has a team-leading 29 goals for the Blue Jackets. Nash scored a goal and Michael Peca added two assists in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.