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Blackhawks’ Teravainen: ‘I’m living my dream’

Chicago Blackhawks v Anaheim Ducks - Game Five

Chicago Blackhawks v Anaheim Ducks - Game Five

Harry How

As foreboding as the future may seem salary cap-wise, some Chicago Blackhawks fans may find themselves daydreaming when they ponder what’s ahead for Teuvo Teravainen. If you blink, there are times when silky-smooth No. 86 looks a lot like No. 88.

Even if others imagine even better days for the 20-year-old, Teravainen isn’t struggling to live in the moment. If anything, it sounds like he’s having a blast, as CSNChicago.com notes.

“It’s been a fun time, for sure,” Teravainen said. “Right now, I’m living my dream.”

Teravainen came into the 2014-15 season with considerable hype, and not just because he was the 18th pick of the 2012 NHL Draft. The Finn poses the kind of skills that even catch the attention of the likes of Patrick Kane.

The results weren’t immediate, however. Through 34 regular season games, he only had four goals and nine points.

After starting the playoffs strong with three points in his first four contests, Teravainen went four games without a single point. That last pointless contest might have been the difference-maker confidence-wise, however, as he looked dangerous in receiving a playoff career-high 22:17 time on ice in Chicago’s marathon win in Game 2.

Since then, it seems like head coach Joel Quenneville’s given him more trust ...a dn ice time. The results have been there, too, as Teravainen has three points in the past two games.

“Patience, good play recognition, it’s nice to see him score a big goal for us as well,” Quenneville said. “He’s got a nice shot through the middle of the ice. That line got going and gave us a good push to start the second.”

Much of the Blackhawks’ success has come from the usual suspects shouldering the burden, but you need help from the supporting cast, so Teravainen’s surge may just come at the right time.

They might need him to keep that dream going with a big performance in Game 6 tonight, too.