• Recap
• Bleachers

Toews, Campbell propel Blackhawks over Stars

Sep 29, 2008 - 1:56 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks are primed to cash in on their years of rebuilding while making a torrid rise in the crowded Western Conference.

Such was on display on Sunday, as Jonathan Toews scored two goals and Brian Campbell recorded four assists in the Blackhawks' 4-3 preseason victory over the Dallas Stars.

Chicago wasted no time getting on the board, as Toews converted on a power play off passes from reigning Calder Trophy winner Patrick Kane and Campbell.

Matt Niskanen tied the game over five minutes later, but Patrick Sharp scored on a man advantage opportunity with 7:45 left in the first.

Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $56.8 million contract as a free agent in the offseason, set up another power-play tally by Toews at the 1:24 mark in the second session to give the Blackhawks a 3-1 advantage.

Joel Lundqvist beat goaltender Antti Niemi 6:20 later, but Chicago regained its two-goal lead when Jack Skille scored with 7:06 left in the second.

Despite yielding a tally to Loui Eriksson in the third, Niemi held on for the victory and finished with 28 saves.

In a quest to become Marty Turco's back-up, Dallas netminder Tobias Stephan turned away 24 shots. After being groomed the past two seasons in the American Hockey League, the 34th overall pick in the 2002 draft will probably appear in 20-25 games behind Turco.