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Did the Blackhawks finally find the right line combinations?

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall celebrates after scoring his third goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

For just the third time in the Connor Bedard era, the Chicago Blackhawks have scored at least six goals in a game, sending the Hawks home for the Thanksgiving with a lot more to be thankful for.



The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Dallas Stars at home on Wednesday night, with a packed United Center, the Hawks found the back of the net early and often against the Stars, winning 6-2.

Taylor Hall was flying high after the Blackhawks 6-2 win, he accounted for half of the Blackhawks goals, his first hat trick since 2013.

It was a big game for Hall, it wasn’t too long ago when the former first overall pick was a healthy scratch from Luke Richardson, so to have him produce and get going offensively is huge. When talking postgame, Hall even mentioned the excitement of playing on a line with Bedard.

“Being put on that line, I wanted to play well and show well obviously,” Hall said. “We needed a win, we needed a win on home ice. As a group I think a lot of guys got on the board, Connor and myself, you need that.”

The Blackhawks big win came with a new set of lines from Richardson. On Wednesday, this was the Blackhawks lineup:

Taylor Hall – Connor Bedard – Philipp Kurashev

Tyler Bertuzzi – Ryan Donato – Teuvo Teravainen

Nick Foligno – Jason Dickinson – Ilya Mikheyev

Pat Maroon – Lukas Reichel – Craig Smith

Alex Vlasic – Connor Murphy

Wyatt Kaiser – Alec Martinez 

TJ Brodie – Louis Crevier 

Petr Mrazek

Scratched: Joey Anderson, Nolan Allan
Injured Reserve: Laurent Brossoit (knee) and Seth Jones (right foot)

It seems like every night Richardson has a new lineup for the Blackhawks to go to battle with. After a 6-2 win, hopefully this group can get another crack together before the next blender.

The Blackhawks have found something with this lineup. Bedard playing with two skilled forwards like Hall and Kurashev is a recipe for success, especially if he and Kurashev can replicate some of last season’s chemistry.

Ryan Donato and the second line might not have looked as good last night, but playing alongside Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen should create some offense for the unit. The Blackhawks third line of Foligno, Dickinson and Mikheyev has the potential to be a great shutdown unit.

For the past month plus, Richardson had been utilizing Foligno on practically every line, even having him center the team’s second line, but playing alongside Dickinson is where Foligno can be most effective.

Even the Blackhawks fourth line created some high danger scoring chances last night. Reichel might be someone you would like to see higher up in the lineup, but if he is benefiting from laying low on the fourth unit and generating offense, than that can be a recipe for success.

Richardson seems to have found lines that are letting his players succeed in roles that work for them. Hopefully he can continue to let them develop and build more chemistry together.

For more Blackhawks News from Jim Lynch and Brooke LoFurno, visit Chicago Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.

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