Andrew Shaw produced a goal and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks ended their regular season in unimpressive fashion Saturday night. The depleted Blackhawks squandered a 3-2 lead entering the third period and wound up on the losing end of a 7-5 outcome in Nashville. The defending Stanley Cup champions now enter next week's playoffs on two-game losing streak. Playing without six top players -- center Jonathan Toews and right wing Patrick Kane are injured, and coach Joel Quenneville elected to rest defensemen Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson and centers Michael Handzus and Marcus Kruger -- the Blackhawks blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2 one night after a 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals. Shaw's goal was his 20th of the season. He also posted his 19th assist. Brandon Saad also had a two-point night for Chicago with two assists to give him 28. Other Chicago goals Saturday were scored by Marian Hossa (30th), Matt Carey (first), Jeremy Morin (fifth) and Ben Smith (14th).

Andrew Shaw and the rest of the Blackhawks were shut out by the Washington Capitals on Friday night by a score of 4-0. Shaw's production has not benefited from his promotion to the Hawks' top line in the absence of Jonathan Toews. The feisty centerman has just one assist in five games playing with talented wingers Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.

Andrew Shaw played between Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp on Thursday night. "It's a big responsibility and I like taking that on," said Shaw, who gets the opportunity to center the top line with Jonathan Toews sidelined for the rest of the regular season. "I have to play strong defensively and compete in those puck areas, get the puck out. Obviously I'm playing with great players. Hopefully we can create some chemistry here." He played a season-high 22:08 of ice time in Chicago's 3-2 shootout win over Minnesota.

Andrew Shaw will not be suspended for his spear on the Senators' Zach Smith. There was a concern amongst the Blackhawks that Shaw would have to deal with some additional NHL discipline but that will not be the case. Shaw did get 17 minutes in penalties for the spearing infraction that took place in Friday's game, though.

Andrew Shaw picked up 17 penalty minutes in the Hawks' 5-3 loss to Ottawa on Friday night. Shaw was handed a game misconduct for spearing in the third period. Chicago was beaten by a Sens team that came to play, holding Jonathan Toews to just one point, the sizzling Duncan Keith to no points and a -3 showing while easily solving Anttii Raanta five times. Shaw has 36 points this season with 74 penalty minutes in 72 games.

Andrew Shaw notched a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Dallas. Shaw has enjoyed an impressive stretch this month with five goals and 10 points in his past 10 matches. He has 36 points along with 57 penalty minutes and 154 hits in 71 games this season.

Andrew Shaw netted his 18th goal of the season Wednesday night. He has generated four markers and added three assists in his past seven games to give him 33 points on the year. The gritty forward has been granted the opportunity to play with Chicago's top-six talent late in the year and he's responded with his best offensive season.

Andrew Shaw joined Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad on the top line Thursday night. The switch paid off as Shaw scored a pair of goals on four shots in a 6-1 win over Columbus. Toews had two markers of his own and Saad contributed an assist. Shaw also finished with a plus-3 rating. This line change could make Shaw a decent waiver claim if he can hang onto it while Marian Hossa is injured.

Andrew Shaw continues to progress as the Blackhawks' second-line center. He's thrived in the role and seen his ice time increase from 13 minutes to 18 minutes per game. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville continues to be pleased with how Shaw has handled himself between superstar Patrick Kane and up and comer Brandon Saad. "Offensively, lot there. Everybody can do things together and they all can make plays on their own," Quenneville said. "The three of them together is the makings of a line that can be productive. But what they're doing without the puck is how we want to gauge it. Defensively, what they're giving up is the best way to measure their effectiveness. They can create enough. We want to see them have more production, more chances for sure on their own side. And they've been like that so far." Shaw may be a nice short-term pick up who could turn into a surprisingly good long-term investment.

Coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he's seen from his new second line, with Andrew Shaw in the middle of Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. "That line, in two games (it's) been together, has looked good. Going forward, that may be a nice fit," Quenneville said. "(Shaw's) around the puck. Offensively he's got some real good instincts and he's in the hard areas. Growing into that responsibility is how you play defensively. And he's got a couple of wingers who can do a lot of stuff." Shaw has generated two goals and one assist in his last two outings to give him 24 points in 47 matches. His physical nature should give Kane more room, while Saad does good work at both ends of the ice.