Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn lead the Stars past the Blackhawks 5-1

[December 30, 2024]  By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn each had a goal and two assists, and the Dallas Stars beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on Sunday night. 

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a save on the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Jason Robertson, Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist for Dallas, which had lost three of four. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves.

Chicago dropped its fourth consecutive game. It lost three of four in its season series against Dallas.

Connor Bedard scored his 10th goal for the Blackhawks, and Arvid Soderblom made 30 stops. Next up for Bedard and company is the Winter Classic on Tuesday against St. Louis.

Dallas grabbed control after Chicago forward Tyler Bertuzzi was ejected 8:11 into the second period. Bertuzzi was sent off for elbowing Stars forward Colin Blackwell in the face.

Robertson made it 2-1 when he converted a wrist shot from the right circle at 8:23. It was Robertson's first goal since Dec. 14 and No. 8 on the season.

Dadonov got a slick pass from Duchene and scored his 10th goal with 5:14 left in the second.

Takeaways
Stars: Miro Heiskanen added two assists as the Stars used their superior depth to control much of the game.

Blackhawks: Once again, not enough offensive opportunities. It has been a recurring problem for the Blackhawks for much of the season so far.

Key moment
Johnston's stick broke right before he scored his eighth goal 10 seconds into the third period. Duchene's pass went off Johnston and past Soderblom, giving the Stars a 4-1 lead.

Key stat
The Stars are 12-3-0 against the Blackhawks since the 2021-22 season.

Up next
Dallas opens a three-game homestand on Tuesday night against Buffalo. Chicago plays St. Louis on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

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