CHICAGO — During Jonathan Toews’s first N.H.L. postseason in 2009, the Blackhawks lost the opening game of their Western Conference semifinal against Vancouver.
“All of a sudden, that thought crosses your mind that, I guess, ‘Better luck next year and that’s the way it’s going to go,’ ” Toews said.
Two nights later, the Blackhawks won to even the series.
“You get the feeling that you’re going all the way to the Cup and nothing can stop you,” Toews said.
Toews is 27 now and the captain of the Blackhawks. He no longer expends as much emotional energy between games.