Pregame Notes (Game 42): Must Win for Stars After Loss to Predators
The Dallas Stars head to Chicago to face the Blackhawks for the second game of a back-to-back that started in Dallas.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports - Pregame Notes (Game 42): Must Win for Stars After Loss to PredatorsThe Dallas Stars fell to the Nashville Predators last night in Dallas 6-3 and now turn their attention to the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on the road.
The Blackhawks are coming off a 2-1 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night. Chicago held a 1-0 lead until late into the third period. Winnipeg, currently leading the President's Trophy race, scored twice in the last seven minutes to take both points in regulation and send the Blackhawks home desperate for some offense.
Earlier this week, the Blackhawks announced that both Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno were being placed on the injured reserve.
Bedard suffered a broken jaw after this hit from Brendan Smith:
Foligno forced Smith to answer the bell for the hit on the rookie. The fight resulted in a broken finger for Foligno.
What to watch for:
- Without Bedard and Foligno, the already struggling Chicago offense is running on fumes. Rem Pitlick, who played 32 games on the Penguin's AHL team, was traded to Chicago for a 7th rounder and immediately found himself on the top line.
- Chicago is 1-2 since losing Foligno and Bedard, losing both of their last two games 2-1. Their top line against Winnipeg was Pitlick and Taylor Raddysh centered by Philipp Kurashev.
- Former Stars forward Jason Dickinson has had a breakout year for Chicago, already posting a career-high 14 goals. He played the most minutes of any forward on Thursday.
- Thomas Harley played a career-high 27:07 of ice time in last night's game against Nashville in Miro Heiskanen's absence. This will be a new test for Harley, as he'll once again be expected to lead the defensemen in ice time again on the second game of a back-to-back.
Projected lines:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Duchene-Seguin
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Steel-Faksa-Smith
Suter-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpaa
Harley-Hanley
Wedgewood
Oettinger
It is unclear if Ty Dellandrea will slot in on the fourth line to give some fresh legs to a potentially tired lineup. With Oettinger playing yesterday, it is likely that Wedgewood gets the start against the Blackhawks.
After a rough showing against Nashville, the Stars need to re-group against the Blackhawks, who currently sit just above San Jose for worst team in the league. The last meeting between the two teams, the Stars won in a massive 8-1 blowout on New Year's Eve.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CST and can be seen on Bally Sports Southwest.
Three Takeaways from Stars 6-3 Loss to Predators
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