Blackhawks: Dominik Kubalik shows up to play against Florida

The Chicago Blackhawks had one of their leading goal scorers finally show up on the scoreboard last night against the Florida Panthers. Dominik Kubalik is back and seems to be better than ever!

The first three games were rather frustrating for Kubalik and the Blackhawks. They were outscored, outperformed, and seemed to be playing the wrong players in every situation. Dominik Kubalik was one of the best examples of what Jeremy Colliton was doing wrong behind the bench, underplaying the former 30 goal scorer.

With Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad not with the Blackhawks this season, Chicago was missing out on some of their top players that have been apart of the organization for a long time. But to Kubalik, he was missing out on the two linemates that helped propel him to a 30 goal season during a year that the ‘Hawks struggled greatly.

It seemed like Kubalik was not even apart of the team during the first three games of the season. One of the most criticized things about Colliton the first week of the season was his handling of the ice time and different lines this season, which is understandable when the team starts as poorly as they did.

Kubalik seemed to score goals in bunches last season. Hopefully, he will be a consistent threat for this Blackhawks after getting on the board for the first time in game four, and the team won’t have to wait too long for his next goal.

The Chicago Blackhawks need Dominik Kubalik to be the 30 goal scorer he was last season.

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For Kubalik to continue to score goals, a few things need to happen in Chicago. It starts with the power play. Kubalik scored two power-play goals yesterday, and that is not a bad thing. Moving forward, the Blackhawks need to play him on their top power play.

I like the Strome, Kane, DeBrincat, combo on the power play, but I think Kubalik also needs to be apart of the first group. If the team is going to stuff all of their hopes in the top PP, then they might as well include Kubalik in that group.

Secondly, Chicago will need t continue to play Kubalik in the top six with a player like Patrick Kane. For some reason, DeBrincat and Kane doesn’t seem to work out, but Kane and Kubalik can be a lightning duo for the ‘Hawks.

Jeremy Colliton has done an alright job behind the Blackhawks’ bench, but for him to get through this season, he needs to give the star players the time they need on the ice instead of overplaying guys like Carpenter and Kampf.