Blackhawks Gameday #35: Back to Back in Dallas

The Chicago Blackhawks (11-22-1) will take on the Dallas Stars tonight (20-9-4) in the first of two consecutive games in the Lone Star State. Faceoff is 7pm tonight.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

Maybe you heard–Connor Bedard had a pair of goals including the game winner in a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets. Some fans even wept at the scene, and Bedard had his first multi-goal game since November. Petr Mrazek was key again with 37 saves in the winning effort.

And now, a bit (more) on the Stars

The Blackhawks are on the division rival tour right now, facing the Jets and Avalanche in the last week and now playing a pair against the Stars. An identical record to Winnipeg’s, the Stars are jockeying for divisional supremacy with the likes of the Jets and Avalanche. The Stars can score goals with six players tallying double digits already this season. The break the Hawks get? Jake Oettinger is out week-to-week, but Scott Wedgewood has posted a better save percentage (.905) this season.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Miscellaneous Musings and Final Verdict

There’s no doubt the Hawks were lucky in the 2-1 win over Winnipeg–being heavily outshot to start the game along with some real puck luck banging off crossbars and posts throughout the contest. Nevermind it–the Blackhawks hung with the Jets stride for stride and turned in a performance that will be another remember when moment for Blackhawks fans to recall when contention replaces rebuilding.

Bedard is inching closer to a point-per-game pace, now with 32 points in 34 games. The nonsense that he wouldn’t be generational or that he’d demand a trade when drafted by the Blackhawks is now tin foil cap tomfoolery. The schadenfreude jilted fans of other organizations wanted to experience hasn’t come to fruition.

In the peripheral is Mrazek, who has been a stable presence for Chicago all season long. If he remains healthy, there’s no doubt interested teams will call as the playoffs beckon.

The Blackhawks have a chance to keep things going tonight. But they haven’t exactly been road warriors. Can they get a second consecutive win?

Stats and Stuff

Team Goals, Assists, and Points Leader: Connor Bedard (15-17-32)
Blackhawks in their last ten games: 4-6
On the road: 4-13