Toews, who last played on Feb. 21, didn't travel with the Hawks to Nashville for their game Saturday against the Predators, but he skated back in Chicago.

As for getting cleared for contact?

"I'm not positive, but I think so," said coach Joel Quenneville, who was awaiting a full report on Toews after the Hawks' morning skate Saturday.

"We're hopeful that maybe we can get him in [a game] before the end of the season."

Toews will miss the game Sunday against the Wild at the United Center. It will be the 20th game in a row he's missed. But Thursday's matchup in Minnesota continues to look like a real possibility.

"The last time I was on the ice, I was feeling like I was close to being able to play, and I [had] more of a setback than anything,'' Toews said recently. ''So this time around, I feel like there's nothing I can do really that's going to make that happen. I've been pushing myself harder and harder every day, and I feel good. I feel confident. Any day now, I should be ready to go."