Game Preview : Strange Days Indeed, Most Peculiar Mama

Chicago Blackhawks (68 pts 32-5-4) vs Dallas Stars (45 pts 21-17-3)7:00 PM United Center - Chicago, IL.TV: CSN Chicago (NBCSN)Radio : WGN 720 AM

Season Series

Date	Score	W. Goal
Apr 15 '13
Mar 16 '13	CHI 8 at DAL 1	J. Toews
Jan 24 '13	CHI 3 at DAL 2 - OT	M. Hossa

Tonight's game is the third and final regular season meeting of the season, and the only trip to the United Center for the Dallas Stars. It is also a matchup of two of the hottest teams in the NHL, with both teams winning their last five games. I don't we are going to see much as far as changes to the lines from yesterday. We could see Daniel Carcillo in for Brandon Bollig and probably Michal Rozsvial in for Sheldon Brookbank. Patrick Sharp is most likely out for tonight's contest, which is fine. It appears that Ray Emery will be given the start in net tonight, but no official word as be given yet. It would be Razor's first look at the Stars this season. Emery is 2-2-0 with a 2.76 GAA and a .901 save % in his career versus Dallas.

This is a very different Stars team than we saw on March 16th when we clubbed them 8-1. The Stars were one of the biggest sellers at the trade deadline as they shipped off their captain Branden Morrow along with Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy. Problem is nobody has told the rest of the team they are supposed to be any good. Their recent hot streak has them just 2 points out of a playoff spot. Another key player missing is goalie Kari Lehtonen, who has missed the last two games with a lower body injury. Richard Bachman will make his third start tonight and only the second in his career against the Blackhawks. Bachman did give up 4 goals against the Hawks when he came in to relieve Lehtonen the last meeting in Dallas. For you history buffs, it is rather fitting to be playing this franchise as today marks the 20th anniversary of their last game as the Minnesota North Stars.

Probable Blackhawks lineup

Forwards

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Marcus Kruger - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Viktor Stalberg
Brandon Bollig - Michal Handzus - Michael Frolik