The Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars are heading in opposite directions as they face off Thursday at United Center in Chicago.
The Hawks (24-21-8) have dropped three straight games, while Dallas (31-19-4) is rising in the standings with a three-game winning streak. Chicago sits seven points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, while the Stars are one point back of third place in the Central Division and hold the top wild-card spot with 66 points.
Dallas hasn’t just won their last three games, they’ve done it in dominating fashion by outscoring its opponents 12-3.
It’s the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the teams. Dallas is 3-0, including an overtime win and one shootout victory. Chicago hasn’t been swept in a season series by Dallas since 2005-06.
Ben Bishop will start in net for the Stars. Bishop stopped 31 shots in Dallas’ 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on Monday night. The 31-year-old is 22-14 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 41 games this season.
Alexander Radulov leads Dallas’ offense with 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) this season. Radulov is close to eclipsing his career-high 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) that he set during the 2007-08 season with Nashville. Tyler Seguin has recorded at least a point during Dallas’ recent win streak. He also led shined in the Stars’ last win over Chicago with a five-point night.
The Hawks will turn to Anton Forsberg between the pipes. Forsberg is 5-8-3 with a 2.94 GAA and .911 save percentage in 19 games this season. In one appearance against the Stars, Forsberg is 0-0-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .943 save percentage.
Lineups
Blackhawks
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| F1 | Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Tommy Wingles |
| F2 | Lance Bouma – Nick Schmaltz – Patrick Kane |
| F3 | Patrick Sharp – Ryan Hartman – Alex DeBrincat |
| F4 | Vinnie Hinostroza – Artem Anisimov – Anthony Duclair |
| D1 | Duncan Keith – Jordan Oesterle |
| D2 | Michal Kempny – Brent Seabrook |
| D3 | Carl Dahlstrom – Jan Rutta |
| Goaltender | Anton Forsberg |
Ducks
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| F1 | Rickard Rackell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry |
| F2 | Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg |
| F3 | Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Ondrej Kase |
| F4 | Jason Chimera – Antoine Vermette – Chris Kelly |
| D1 | Cam Fowler – Brandon Montour |
| D2 | Hampus Lindholm – Francois Beauchemin |
| D3 | Marcus Pettersson – Josh Manson |
| Goaltender | John Gibson or Ryan Miller |
*Lines are subject to change.
How to watch Stars at Blackhawks
Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: NBC Sports Chicago