Dallas Stars Welcome Blackhawks For First Time This Year
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to town tonight for the first time this season. Will they be able to start their first win streak of the season?
Let the divisional rivalries continue brewing in Big D. Tonight, the Dallas Stars welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to town for a Central Division showdown, and sparks are sure to fly.
The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest (FSSW), and you can also hear it on 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars come into tonight’s contest with a record of 4-4-2 and 10 points. They sit fifth in their division, but can move into third with a win tonight. Their most recent game came as a 6-2 shellacking of the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. They are 2-2-1 in their last five games.
The Chicago Blackhawks enter tonight’s game with a 7-3-1 record for 15 total points. They sit first place in the division and are tied for first in the West overall. Their most recent game came as a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche. They are a dominant 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Storylines
Blackhawks running away with season
Before the season began, analysts and hockey fans alike were doing something that they had not done in a long time: count the Blackhawks out. After some offseason trades and roster adjustments, the Hawks entered the year looking weaker than usual.
But they helped prove once again that predictions are merely educated guessing. Chicago is currently standing atop the Western Conference and does not look to be slowing down anytime soon.
They’ve only sacrificed six goals in the past five games and have two shutouts over the span. They have also scored 17 goals in that span. That’s probably not even what Chicago expected would happen. It’s going to be very tough for the Stars to shut down the Hawks, especially with the hot streak they’re on.
Stars need to bring same thunder from Thursday
The Dallas Stars absolutely pummeled the Blues on Thursday night. They were stronger, faster, and more powerful. They put up six goals on 27 shots. They rediscovered their old offense and even their special teams play throughout the game.
Tyler Seguin had four assists. Defensemen John Klingberg (2), Stephen Johns, and Jordie Benn all scored goals in the process. Fights were had, the rivalry burned bright, and the Stars came out on top with a dominant performance.
They need to replicate that performance tonight if they are expecting to earn another Central Division win.
Niemi gets the nod
At today’s morning skate, Antti Niemi was the first goaltender off the ice, meaning he is likely going to start in net tonight for the Dallas Stars. This will be Niemi’s third consecutive start.
On Tuesday night, he went 25-28 (.893 SV%) in an overtime loss to the Columbus Blues Jackets. He redeemed himself with a solid 28-30 (.933) showing against the Blues on Thursday. Let’s see what he has in store for his former team tonight.
Injury report
The Dallas Stars will be missing LW Patrick Sharp (concussion-like symptoms), LW Jiri Hudler (illness), and C Cody Eakin (knee) tonight. RW Ales Hemsky (hip) and C Mattias Janmark (knee) are out long-term.
The Chicago Blackhawks will be without the services of C Andrew Desjardins (lower body) and D Trevor Van Riemsdyk (upper body).
Projected lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Patrick Eaves
Antoine Roussel – Radek Faksa – Jason Spezza
Lauri Korpikoski – Devin Shore – Brett Ritchie
Curtis McKenzie – Gemel Smith – Adam Cracknell
Esa Lindell – John Klingberg
Johnny Oduya – Stephen Johns
Dan Hamhuis – Jordie Benn
Antti Niemi
Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Panik – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane
Artemi Panarin – Artem Anisimov – Marian Hossa
Ryan Hartman – Marcus Kruger – Tyler Motte
Dennis Rasmussen – Nick Schmaltz – Jordin Tootoo
Michal Kempny – Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Next: Stars Moving In Right Direction
Prediction
This is a tough one. Sure the Chicago Blackhawks are on a hot streak and the Dallas Stars are struggling to find consistency. But with a home crowd (even though a lot of it will be in red) on a Saturday night and the Stars’ recent history against the Hawks, give me Dallas winning it 3-2.