Hawks' Toews has some ideas on how to basically eliminate shootouts
In case you missed it, Jonathan Toews made history last week when he became the first player to record 50 career shootout goals during the Blackhawks' 3-2 victory at Florida.
The Blackhawks' captain would love to stay atop that list forever - and he has the perfect way to make that happen.
Just extend 3-on-3 overtime to 10 minutes.
"The shootout, we can end it," Toews said. "I can be the all-time leader and that'll be it. We'll turn the page on that."
Toews is 5-for-8 in the shootout this season. He's also scored on 49.5 percent of his career attempts, the ninth-best clip among players with at least 20 chances. Artemi Panarin leads the way at 60.9 percent (14-for-23).
Just behind Toews in total shootout goals is Detroit's Frans Nielsen (49) and Patrick Kane (47).
Doubling the amount of time in OT wouldn't completely eliminate the shootout, but Toews figures very few games would reach that point.
"Eventually someone's going to score in 3-on-3," Toews said. "Someone gets tired. There's a 2-on-1; pucks go back and forth. So I think that's a good way to finish it.
"Fans like watching that too.
"Some nights you play a great game, you can't find a way to score 3-on-3, you lose in a shootout and it's not a really good feeling, when you feel like you should have won the game. So that's the only thing I would change."
Through Tuesday, 65 percent of games that were tied after regulation were decided in overtime. The Hawks are 5-4 in OT and 4-4 in the shootout.
Flying solo soon:
With Robin Lehner now in Vegas, things have become a bit strange for Alex Nylander, who is living with Lehner's family this season.
"It's just me with the kids and his wife," Nylander said. "It's the same thing, it's just obviously weird when he's not around. Just playing with the kids, taking care of them. It's been good."
Pretty soon, though, Nylander is going to be living alone because Lehner plans to move his family west.
The 22-year-old Nylander swears the place won't turn into a pigsty.
"I'm a clean guy," he said, smiling. "I lived with a roommate the last two years, so I know how to live by myself. It'll be no problem."
Carlsson injured:
Defenseman Lucas Carlsson was injured when a shot attempt from Kris Russell hit him in the face in the second period of the Hawks' 4-3 win over Edmonton on Thursday. Coach Jeremy Colliton said Carlsson would travel to Detroit, but he wasn't sure if the rookie could face the Red Wings.
Slap shot:
Rockford IceHogs goalie Kevin Lankinen underwent shoulder surgery Monday and will be out 4-5 months.