Outpoll | Mikheyev named second star in Blackhawks win over St. Louis.

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Mikheyev named second star in Blackhawks win over St. Louis.

Mikheyev named second star in Blackhawks win over St. Louis.

18 hours ago7 min read5 comments

Alright, let's break down this absolute heater of a performance from the Chicago Blackhawks, because if you missed this one, you missed a party. The Hawks just put up an eight-spot on the St.Louis Blues in an 8-3 demolition that felt less like a regular-season NHL game and more like a highlight reel on fast-forward. And right in the middle of the chaos, doing his best impression of a player who found a cheat code, was Ilya Mikheyev, who just got named the game's second star and is quietly putting together a 'wait, is he for real?' start to the season.Let's talk about that first period goal, because it was a thing of beauty born from pure, unadulterated hustle. Blues goalie Joel Hofer tries to make a simple pass, probably thinking he's got all day, but Mikheyev reads it like a children's book, picks his pocket, and buries it.It's the kind of play that makes you jump off your couch—a goal created not from some fancy tic-tac-toe play, but from sheer will and being in the right place at the right time, a testament to the kind of hockey IQ that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet but wins you games. And he wasn't done there; the man racked up an assist, finished a plus-2, threw three shots on net, laid out a hit, and logged over 18 minutes of ice time, including a solid shift killing penalties.This wasn't a flash in the pan, either. This is two games in a row now where Mikheyev has been on the scoresheet, coming off a two-goal night against Utah.So, let's put his season under a microscope for a second: five games in, and he's already got four points—three goals and an assist—with a plus-4 rating. That's the kind of production that starts conversations.Is this the breakout we've been waiting for? Is he finding that next gear after settling into the system? It reminds you of when a role player suddenly ascends, like a Robert Horry in basketball, someone who just knows how to be impactful when the lights are brightest. For a Blackhawks team that's been looking for secondary scoring behind their obvious superstars, having a guy like Mikheyev step up is a game-changer.It takes the pressure off the top line, forces opposing coaches to make tougher matchups, and builds a depth that can carry a team through the grueling 82-game marathon of the NHL season. Think about the context here: the Central Division is a gauntlet, and beating a rival like St.Louis in such a dominant fashion sends a message. It's not just two points; it's a statement that this team can explode offensively on any given night.And when you have contributors up and down the lineup, like Mikheyev becoming a consistent threat, it transforms the entire identity of the squad. They're not just a team with a few great players; they're becoming a cohesive, dangerous unit.Looking ahead, if Mikheyev can maintain this pace, he's not just playing for a second star in a single game; he's playing himself into the conversation for the league's most improved player or, at the very least, becoming an indispensable piece of the Blackhawks' core. It's these kinds of unexpected surges that define a season.One player gets hot, confidence skyrockets, and suddenly the whole team's trajectory shifts. So, keep your eyes on number 65. If he keeps this up, we're not just talking about a nice win in October; we're talking about a player who could be a central figure in a potential playoff push, a guy who went from a reliable piece to a legitimate difference-maker overnight.