The Chicago Blackhawks have a very impressive Dallas Stars team in town. To win, they need a big effort from the top line.

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to take on the Dallas Stars at United Center on American Thanksgiving Eve. At 13-7-0, the Stars are bringing an elite group.

Although the Blackhawks are 7-12-2, they have played up to their competition at times this season. That includes a win over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in their most recent home game.

The Stars are elite because of their ability to come at you in waves. There is the perfect mix of elder veterans, guys truly in their prime, and good young players. These are lines that you can expect to see from Dallas:

Robertson - Hintz - Johnston

Marchment - Duchene - Seguin

Benn - Bourque - Stankoven

Bäck - Steel - Dadonov

Lindell - Heiskanen

Harley - Lyubushkin

Smith - Dumba

Oettinger

DeSmith

That second line of Matt Duchene centering Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin is one of the hottest trips in the NHL right now. If the Hawks are going to have a chance, containing that group is a major key. With that said, it’s not like the other lines (and defense pairs) can’t do damage themselves.

Their top line has incredibly dangerous players on it but none of them would say they are happy with their games to this point. Still, the Hawks must respect them and play extra smart when they are on the ice. Led by captain Jamie Benn, their bottom six isn’t anything to look away from either.

On defense, Miro Heiskanen leads the way as their number one. The group behind him is outstanding and that includes both of their goaltenders. Whether it’s Jake Oettinger or Casey DeSmith, the Hawks must find ways to make it hard on them with bodies in front and getting him moving from left to right.

If the Hawks want to be successful at this, the new look first line needs to make an impact on the scoresheet. If they aren’t productive, the team has almost no shot. This is what the line looks like along with the projected units for the whole team:

Hall-Bedard-Kurashev

Bertuzzi-Donato-Teravainen

Mikheyev-Dickinson-Foligno

Maroon-Reichel-Smith

Vlasic-Murphy

Kaiser-Martinez

Brodie-Crevier

Mrazek

Soderblom

Taylor Hall and Philipp Kurashev are going to have a shot with Connor Bedard in this one. Having a lefty on each side of Bedard may help him finally break the goal-scoring skid.

The second and fourth lines remain unchanged from practice earlier in the week. As for the third line, Jason Dickinson (hand) returned to practice where he took Joey Anderson’s spot. Instead of playing wing like Anderson, he slotted into the middle and Foligno moved back to the wing.

Petr Mrazek is scheduled to get the start for Chicago. He has been incredible lately despite the team in front of him not giving him the goal support that he deserves. 

If that aforementioned top line got going and put up big numbers offensively, the depth on the team would appear to be that much better than it has been in years past. They desperately need their best players to be their best players and everyone else will follow. 

The Stars are great and will come at you fast. If the Hawks can find a way to match that intensity, they will have a chance to win but it all has to go right. 

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