• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ 3 Stars of the Week: Oct. 7-13

By Adam Cumbee October 15th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In a season in which they’re expected to right the ship and get back on track after missing the playoffs two seasons in a row, it has been a rough start for the Chicago Blackhawks. After losing their season opener 4-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers in Prague, they had a six-day wait before their next contest.

This past week, Chicago had their first two home games. They lost to the San Jose Sharks 5-4 after committing 12 turnovers and putting forth a poor defensive effort, and then they took a tough 3-2 overtime loss against the Winnipeg Jets to gain their first point after blowing a two-goal lead.

Chicago Blackhawks 3 stars of the week

Despite the 0-2-1 start and a week that has seen its fair share of disappointments, there were also a few bright spots for Chicago during last week’s games. Here’s a look at my three stars of the week for the Chicago Blackhawks.

3rd Star – Dominik Kubalik

The newly acquired Kubalik has been a strong addition to the team. Kubalik had a standout game against the Sharks with his linemates Brandon Saad and David Kampf. Kubalik scored his first career NHL goal, assisted by Saad, fired six shots on goal, and had five hits in the game. In addition to his individual stats, his line absolutely dominated the first period against the Sharks.

The line of Saad, Kampf and Kublik was on the ice for 14 shot attempts for and two against and 11 shots on goal for and one against in 4:30 of 5-on-5 ice time in the first period, per @NatStatTrick.

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 11, 2019

Kubalik also added a helper on Brent Seabrook’s powerplay goal in the first period against the Jets.

I’m going to give an honorable mention to Saad, who scored a shorthanded goal against the Jets to kick off the scoring in the first period and give the Blackhawks an early lead. Kubalik and Saad’s efficiency together on the third line has been one of the few positives for the Blackhawks thus far.

Dominik Kubalik of Czech Republic
Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik of Czech Republic, 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)

Kubalik was being touted as a potential hidden gem in the offseason, and last week he definitely showed some glimpses of living up to the hype earning himself my No. 3 star of the week.

2nd Star – Robin Lehner

The newly acquired Lehner made his Blackhawks debut in the overtime loss to the Jets. While the result wasn’t ideal, he looked good in the net making several big stops to keep Chicago on top, including this point-blank save against Mark Scheifele.

New York Islanders Robin Lehner
Former New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Lehner turned aside 30 shots in regulation for a .938 save percentage (SV%), including a .962 SV% in 5-on-5 situations. Those are very encouraging numbers for a goalie who was brought in to shore up the goalie situation behind Corey Crawford. Despite the loss, Lehner found some positives to build off of.

“I felt good,” Lehner said. “I felt like I saw the puck well. I thought rebound control was good. Again, the first one is unfortunate, it squeaks through. But I was where I wanted to be in position and somehow it goes in. Gotta try to clean that up. And the third goal, it just dove on me. He missed his shot. It’s unfortunate. But I thought I made some good saves and felt comfortable. We got a point, which is something, but should’ve gotten a win today.”

For the time being, Crawford is still the guy, but Lehner definitely played his way into some more opportunities and earned my No. 2 star of the week.

1st Star – Andrew Shaw

Shaw netted two goals against the Sharks, his first assisted by Olli Maatta and Dylan Strome, and his second with help from Alex Debrincat. On the night, Shaw took five shots from high-danger areas and led the team with seven hits. His impact, however, goes far beyond the scoring sheet.

Chicago Blackhawks Andrew Shaw
Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

One of the reasons Shaw was re-acquired was that he brings an element of toughness and protection to the ice that has been lacking in the Blackhawks’ game since he left. He proved his value in that department during the Sharks game when Patrick Kane took a bad hit from defenseman Brenden Dillon and Shaw went after Dillon, drawing a penalty while doing so.

Fans were excited when it was announced that the Blackhawks got Shaw back for a multitude of reasons, but head coach Jeremy Colliton is excited for a much more simple reason.

Jeremy Colliton on Andrew Shaw, who netted two goals tonight: "We're a better team because we have him." #Blackhawks

— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) October 11, 2019

Shaw brings much-needed energy to the ice no matter the role, and he certainly brought it against the Sharks. He excels in all three zones, is a pest to the opposition, and he will be heavily relied upon to be that spark all season long. In two games last week, Shaw provided that spark and scored two goals on nine shots with eight hits and one block, earning himself my No. 1 star of the week.

  • Tags
  • Andrew Shaw
  • Dominik Kubalik
  • Robin Lehner
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 18th 5:55 PM
Other Leagues

Ducks Will Benefit From Gulls’ Temporary Relocation to Irvine

Jan 18th 5:45 PM
Minnesota Wild

Wild Weekly: A Pair Of Comeback Wins Against The Kings

Jan 18th 5:10 PM
Column

Canucks News & Rumors: Edler, Hughes, Miller, Benn & Höglander

Jan 18th 4:35 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Need Hoffman on Top Power Play Unit

Jan 18th 3:55 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ 2010 Grubauer Trade Cemented OHL Dynasty

Jan 18th 3:45 PM
Archives

The Strangest Superstitions in NHL History

Jan 18th 3:35 PM
Florida Panthers

Newest Panthers Make Their Mark in the Season Opener

Jan 18th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Robertson, Caufield, Clarke & Harrison

Jan 18th 3:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Yamamoto, Kahun, Bear, Goalie News, More

Jan 18th 3:00 PM
Column

Flyers Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Konecny, Hart, Voracek & More

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information