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Toews, Bergeron possible for Game 6

Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron both were injured in Saturday’s Game 5.

Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews responds to a question during a news conference on Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks are to host the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final hockey series on Saturday. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)
Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews responds to a question during a news conference on Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks are to host the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final hockey series on Saturday. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)Read more

JONATHAN TOEWS watched the end of the fifth game of the Stanley Cup finals from the Blackhawks bench, unable to play after a hit to his head.

Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was in a Chicago hospital after leaving the United Center by ambulance with an undisclosed injury.

As the Stanley Cup finals approach a sixth and potential clinching game tonight, the attention shifted from the players on the ice to the ones who might not make it there, including two of the top forwards and biggest stars in the series.

"It's not the best situation for either team," Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask said yesterday after both teams flew back to Boston. "But it's a tough sport, and injuries happen. When you leave it all out there to help your team win, that's all part of the game."

Bergeron was injured in the second period of Game 5 on Saturday, which Chicago won, 3-1, to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

Toews, who won the Selke Award as the NHL's top defensive forward - Bergeron was a finalist - missed the entire third period after a shot to the head from Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

Bergeron, who was taken to the hospital for observation, was released later Saturday night and rejoined his teammates for a team meal.

The Blackhawks lost Toews after Boychuk knocked him down in the slot, making contact with his head. Boychuk wasn't penalized, and NHL spokesman John Dellapina said yesterday that the league reviewed the hit and there will be no supplemental discipline.

Toews was tied with Patrick Kane for the Blackhawks' team lead with 23 goals during the regular season. Since being reunited with Kane on Chicago's top line in Game 4, Chicago has rallied to take the lead in the best-of-seven series. Before he was knocked out of the Game 5, Toews assisted on both of Kane's goals.

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Toews was doing much better and the team is optimistic he will be able to play in Game 6.

Noteworthy * 

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings. Bernier had been stuck behind Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles. Toronto gave up forward Matt Frattin, backup goaltender Ben Scrivens and a second-round pick in the 2014 or 2015 NHL entry draft.

Bernier, 24, is eligible to become a restricted free agent. He played in 14 regular-season games for the Kings in 2012-13, compiling a 9-3-1 record with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.