The Chicago Blackhawks seemed to be skating and competing with the speedy, talented Stars in Dallas through first half of the first period on Sunday night.

The Stars, led by Mason Marchment's (No. 27) hat trick, smoked the Blackhawks on New Year's Eve in Dallas.

Then the Stars found a higher gear and took charge en route to an 8-1 win. The Blackhawks sputtered and fell apart in a drubbing that matched their previous worst this season, an 8-1 defeat at Arizona on Oct. 30.

Coach Luke Richardson's immediate remedy: A practice with battle drills on Monday, New Year's Day, in Nashville for his last-place, 11-23-2 team.

"About halfway through the first period they (the Stars) really turned it on and we didn't up our battle level," Richardson said. "We didn't battle last night, so we had to show today that we have to learn to battle in this league every day.

"I think the guys really took it to heart and had a good hard work in practice and I expect that in every game going forward." See the following video.

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson on practice with battle drills in Nashville on New Year's Day after 8-1 blowout loss in Dallas.

Depleted Chicago meets the Predators on Tuesday night in the third game of a five-game trip. The Blackhawks will be without injured forwards Tyler Johnson (foot), Taylor Raddysh (groin), Andreas Athanasiou (groin) and Joey Anderson (lower-body), as well as top defenseman Seth Jones (shoulder).

Still, Richardson expects his players to be far more assertive and connected than they were on Sunday. See the following video.

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said his team needs to be more connected and assertive, even if it's depleted by injuries.

BTW: Richardson emphasized the Blackhawks are in Nashville "on business," but did reveal he enjoyed visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum there on a past trip.

Blackhawks Battle Cry... or Cry for Battle?