After a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas, the Chicago Blackhawks return to Chicago to face the Stars again on the back end of a home-at-home series.

Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane both continued their point streaks on Friday night in Dallas, as Anisimov assisted Kane’s second-period goal (his fourth of the season).

Kane would also earn an assist on a goal 11 seconds into the game, and both players left Dallas tied with the most points in the NHL with 15. This offensive boost has been seen across the team as well, as Chicago (8-3-1) now has the NHL’s second-best goals per game average (3.5).

Corey Crawford has also kept his hot start to the season alive, as he ranks in the Top 5 of the NHL in save percentage and wins. He’s also getting more help in shorthanded situations, as the Hawks’ penalty kill has continued to show steady improvement after starting the season slow. Dating back to the New Jersey game on Oct. 28, the Blackhawks have killed off their last 15 penalties.

Andrew Desjardins was activated from injured reserve yesterday, and was replaced by Trevor Van Riemsdyk.  Reports say that Desjardins might start today, but there has been no confirmation yet on whether or not he will play.

The Stars will be without Jason Spezza, who got added to the team’s long list of sidelined players Saturday. It’s unclear how Dallas will roll out its lines for the game at this point, although the team is getting pretty thin without Spezza, Patrick Sharp, Ales Hemsky, Jiri Hudler, Cody Eakin and Mattias Janmark.

Chicago was 1-3-0 against Dallas last season and was outscored, 16-7, in those four meetings. The Hawks currently lead the Western Conference with 42 goals and are third in the NHL.

For more on the Stars, check out Defending Big D.

Lineups

Blackhawks

Forwards

Richard Panik — Jonathan Toews — Patrick Kane
Artemi Panarin — Artem Anisimov — Marian Hossa
Ryan Hartman — Marcus Kruger— Tyler Motte
Dennis Rasmussen — Nick Schmaltz — Jordin Tootoo

Defensemen

Duncan Keith — Brian Campbell
Michal Kempny — Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling — Niklas Hjalmarsson

Goalie

Corey Crawford

Stars

Forwards

Jamie Benn — Tyler Seguin — Patrick Eaves
Lauri Korpikoski — Radek Faksa — Brett Ritchie
Antoine Roussel — Devin Shore — Adam Cracknell
Curtis McKenzie — Gamel Smith — Justin Dowling

Defensemen

Esa Lindell – John Klingberg
Johnny Oduya – Stephen Johns
Dan Hamhuis – Jordie Benn

Goalies

Antii Niemi