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Blackhawks benefit from reunion of Sharp-Toews-Hossa line

Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81), of Slovakia, and center Jonathan Toews (19) move the puck down the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

AP

Goals were precious in the Chicago Blackhawks’ slim 2-1 win against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Sunday, so it’s that much clearer that the reunited Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa line made a huge difference.

For one thing, they helped Chicago erase a 1-0 lead with what a second-period performance that left head coach Joel Quenneville raving.

That great performance included an assist for Patrick Sharp, as Bryan Bickell went to the net for a power-play goal:

(Bickell enjoyed his fair share of good times with Toews and Hossa in these playoffs, as well.)

Hossa assisted on this Toews game-winning goal, which is remarkably already the Blackhawks captain’s fourth GWG of these young playoffs:

That accounts for four of the seven game-winning goals the Blackhawks have scored, leaving Hossa obviously impressed:

Close or not, a a win makes a huge difference and continues a powerful trend for Chicago:

The Wild got out of this situation against the Colorado Avalanche, yet familiarity doesn’t inspire much comfort from Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo:

Opponents of Toews have had that feeling quite a few times the last few years.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins