Chicago Blackhawks: Secondary Scoring Comes Up Huge Heading into Big Weekend

The Chicago Blackhawks have three All-Stars on their current roster. However, this week some of the 'Hawks less nationally-known names have gotten into the action.

Chicago heads into a pair of tough games this weekend on a two-game win streak, thanks to big production from several players not named Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Some of the names that were needed to come up large with Patrick Sharp out have done so.

The 'Hawks have also continued to get impressive starts to the NHL careers of Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw. Both rookies figured heavily in Chicago's 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild Thursday night.

Wild goalie Josh Harding got a taste of the Shawblade in the form of a top-shelf wrister over the glove that tied the game at one midway through the first period. Hayes took a power-play feed from Dave Bolland in front of the net and found twine to give the 'Hawks a 2-1 lead.

Viktor Stalberg, the owner of Tuesday's hat trick, followed up Hayes by taking a pass from Toews and making it 3-1 Chicago. Bolland was quick to a rebound later in the second and backhanded home the fourth Blackhawk goal, chasing Harding from the crease to give his team a 4-1 advantage.

An empty netter late helped give the Rat first star honors, followed by Hayes and Shaw. Michael Frolik and Steve Montador each had a pair of assists on the night.

For the second straight game, Chicago skated to a 5-2 victory without a goal from Toews, Hossa or Kane. As dominant as Chicago's top-four scorers have been so far this season, a few nights off the scoreboard may not have been a bad thing.

Though Kane could stand to break out of a slump right now, it's important that the 'Hawks get scoring contributions throughout the lineup. Signs of Bolland coming to life and Stalberg continuing his career season, along with goals from Shaw, Hayes and Ben Smith in the last two games, are shots in the arm as the team heads into a tough weekend slate.

Chicago's first trip to Detroit this season Saturday morning is followed by a tough United Center date with San Jose, who is currently on top of the Pacific Division. The Blackhawks could sure use big games from up and down the lineup to claim four more points in the standings.

The role players feasted on a pair of struggling teams this week. Let's see how they fare against two quality opponents this weekend.