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PHT Morning Skate: Winnipeg native Toews excited for MTS Centre game

Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates onto the ice during player introductions before taking on the Minnesota Wild in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 9, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 5-1 to win the series. (May 8, 2013 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

On Saturday, Winnipeg-native Jonathan Toews will get to play in his hometown in a regular season game for the first time in his career. (Winnipeg Sun)

Speaking of interesting weekend matchups, the Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo will play against Toronto tomorrow. It wasn’t that long ago that Luongo was pretty sure he would end up with the Maple Leafs. (Toronto Sun)

Editor’s Note: Pro Hockey Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $3,000 Fantasy Hockey league tonight (Friday). It’s just $10 to join and first prize is $600. Starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. Here’s the link.

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ new defensive system has created a welcome challenge for their goaltenders. “He laughed, but I told (Marc-Andre Fleury) that I’ll spray myself with the water bottle just to wake myself up,” backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff said. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is averaging 25:10 minutes per game, but as far as he’s concerned, the extra ice time is making him play better. (Newsday)

Hall of Famer Denis Savard is still competing long after retirement. Only now it’s with thoroughbred horse racing. He has a horse in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Sprint. (NHL.com)

Columnist Adrian Dater thinks Steve Downie might have been traded in part because coach Patrick Roy was “growing a bit uneasy with Downie’s temper and occasional bad penalties.” (Denver Post)

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