Blackhawks Gameday #36: A Win in Dallas To End 2023?

The Chicago Blackhawks (11-22-2) will take on the Dallas Stars tonight (21-9-4) in the finale of a two-game set in the Lone Star state. Faceoff is 7pm tonight.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

The Blackhawks rallied to tie things up at four before falling with just seven seconds left in overtime on Friday. It showed a fight that Chicago desperately needed to show after surrendering a two-goal lead. But it came with a price as the Blackhawks lost Taylor Raddysh in the loss to a lower body injury.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Miscellaneous Musings and Final Verdict

The loss gave Chicago handed them a ten-game streak in the wrong side of the win/loss column. The good news is that they fought back but they’ll always be the first to tell you–moral victories mean nothing. So tonight presents a new challenge in that the Blackhawks can try to close out the 2023 version of the season with a victory.

The momentum for a winning streak, then, will have the chance to begin in 2024 should they find a way tonight. But Dallas presents the unique challenge of having multiple double-digit scorers while seeing role players like Roope Hintz bury a hat trick with the game winner sealing it. But here’s what a Hintz teaches the Blackhawks.

Hintz was a second-round draft pick all the way back 2015, netted for an aging veteran in Erik Cole who would play all of 11 games for the Detroit Red Wings. Hintz was drafted and developed by Dallas, and has turned into one of their more important players. He has 277 points in 344 games, and he shows the utmost importance of what the Blackhawks are trying to do.

As 2023 melts into 2024, and more attention starts being paid to draft spots, prospects, and potential players on the move, there are certainly a number of Hintz like players who could find their way to Chicago. Nick Lardis, and Gavin Hayes immediately come to mind. But what about the guys like Jason Dickinson, who are still relatively young but could play a role as the Hawks rise up? Or will they simply want to cash in on his good season, netting a pick that could be developed into a Hintz?

It’s all conjecture for now. But wouldn’t it be nice for Chicago to head into the new year with a win?

Stats and Stuff

Team Goals, Assists, and Points Leader: Connor Bedard (15-17-32)
Blackhawks in their last ten games: 3-6-1
On the road: 4-13-1