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 The Blackhawks are starting to heat up with seven wins in their last
nine games and goaltender Corey Crawford has been a big part of that
surge. Crawford is 7-1-0 with a 1.11 goals-against average and .963
save percentage in his past eight games while the Stars present a
major challenge, scoring 3.50 goals per game and standing third in
the league on the power play. Dallas has registered six goals in
each of the last two games after giving up two early before rallying
for a 6-3 victory at Minnesota on Monday. Benn tops the league with
22 goals and Seguin boasts three multi-point performances in the
last four contests to take over the team lead with 46 points.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Southwest Plus (Dallas)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (20-11-4): Chicago will not be arriving in
Dallas at full strength with veteran right wing Marian Hossa out
because of an upper-body injury, although he is expected back soon.
Kane has posted at least a point in three straight outings (two
goals, two assists) after his 26-game streak came to an end and
captain Jonathan Toews has four points in the last three contests
after his goal beat San Jose in overtime Sunday. Center Dennis
Rasmussen has contributed three goals and is a plus-2 in his first
eight NHL games since being called-up.
ABOUT THE STARS (25-7-2): Benn and Seguin have been difficult to
contain and defenseman John Klingberg (31 points) has played like an
all star, but two members of last season’s Cup winners have also
played big roles. Veteran forward Patrick Sharp, who was acquired
from Chicago in the offseason, boasts 11 goals and 25 points while
former Blackhawks top-four defenseman Johnny Oduya adds stability to
the blue line after signing as a free agent. Checking-line center
Vernon Fiddler had two goals Monday and owns four points in the last
three games.
[to top of second column] |
OVERTIME
1. Chicago LW Artemi Panarin has six multi-point games and leads all
rookies in the league with 31 points.
2. Dallas G Antti Niemi, who led the Blackhawks to the Cup in 2010,
is 6-1-2 in his last nine decisions after stopping 30-of-31 shots in
relief Monday.
3. The Stars have won the last two meetings after Chicago had won
five straight in the series.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 5, Stars 3
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