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Historically, there has been strength in Jonathan Toews’ numbers.

He’s one of three NHL players who have scored 20 goals in each of the last 11 seasons. His company on that list is Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin.

He had four goals and seven assists in his previous eight games going into Sunday’s game against the Blues.

“I feel like late in the season always seems to be where I pick it up and have my best hockey,” Toews said. “You stop thinking out there and just play, and eventually pucks go in.”

Toews has more career goals (56) and assists (111) in March than any other month. He also has played nine more games in March than any other month.

While better late than never, Toews’ recent resurgence has been overshadowed by another number — as in the pretty much zero percent chance the Hawks have to make the playoffs.

Toews knows the score, even if he doesn’t want to come out and say it.

The closest he has come is saying the Hawks could play spoiler to many, including the Blues.

Toews also knows that once the Hawks are home for the postseason for the first time in 10 years, he will take a look at his numbers and try to make sense of a season that has made little sense. He’ll compare them to what he has done in the past and try to move forward.

“It’s hard not to,” he said. “Once in a while you look at the big picture, trying to see what the trends are in the game, what you need to work on, what you’re doing well. Sometimes things change as far as circumstances. You focus on what you can do better and what you can improve upon.

“There’s no doubt everyone kind of looks at their numbers, especially if you consider yourself an offensive player.”

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That part of Toews’ season has been steadied since he and Kane were put together on the top line March 3 against the Kings. The two hadn’t played regularly together in years.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said it’s “possible” he’ll keep the two together next season.

“Whether it’s that line he’s been with, with the two of them (and Brandon Saad), I think they are three guys that can make plays and all are productive,” Quenneville said. “That line can be dangerous every single night.

“(Toews) has the puck more. When he does that, things happen. Defensively, one of his strengths is playing against other teams’ top lines or their top guys. Jonny traditionally has good numbers in that matchup.”

What hasn’t been tradition, for all but the first of Toews’ 11 seasons, is not making the playoffs.

He has been a captain for three Stanley Cup championships.

He has lost in the conference finals twice.

He has won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.

Simply put, he’s not used to losing. And he doesn’t plan to get used to it.

“We need to grow,” he said. “We need to learn from what we’ve been through. No better time than now. Let’s not wait until the offseason or next year. We can all grow as players and look around and let the bumps in the road kind of sink in and keep analyzing what we need to do better and apply that as soon as we can.”

This season it happened too late.

But it’s never too early for next season.

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Twitter @ChiTribSkrbina

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