We’re just over one week removed from the Mar. 3 NHL trade deadline, and the Chicago Blackhawks are doing their best to get acclimated with their new-look team. This past week has included many new players finding their bearings. Existing players are getting acclimated to the trade deadline losses of former teammates. Despite basically being set up to lose down the stretch, the Blackhawks are actually playing some pretty competitive hockey. With that in mind, here are some of the latest news, rumors and highlights surrounding the Blackhawks from this this past week.
Stalock’s Shutout
The week started with a 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Mar. 6. The Senators were previously on a five-game winning streak, so for them to lay this kind of dud was unexpected. But the Blackhawks earned a victory with contributions from a multitude of different players, scoring five unanswered goals to secure a big win.
Netminder Alex Stalock was named the first star of the game for stopping all 35 shots he faced. This was Stalock’s second shutout of the season and the 11th of his career. Considering everything the 35-year-old has been through, this was certainly a special night for him.
Alex Stalock was a brick wall, making 35 saves for his 11th career @pepsi shutout in a huge 5-0 win for the @NHLBlackhawks! 🧱 pic.twitter.com/pMffWdrvEE
— NHL (@NHL) March 7, 2023
After a bout with Covid back in 2020, Stalock was diagnosed with myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Overcoming that alone, and returning to play, was monumental. This season, Stalock has dealt with a lingering concussion and then ocular dysfunction, both which have kept him out for a substantial amount of time. All in all, he’s suited up for 17 games with the Blackhawks.
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The St. Paul, Minnesota native has always been super outspoken on the ice, giving an energy and spark to the team in front of him. Blackhawk’s head coach Luke Richardson indicated after the shutout win that Stalock was finally getting back to his old ways.
I think he’s been back to himself around the dressing room, and the guys are feeling it. And then they see him playing like that on the ice, that he just drags everybody into that fight with him. And, you know, everybody plays scrappy because that’s how he plays. And he’s not really afraid of anything. He trusts how he plays. And I thing that players trust how he plays…
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