Pregame Notes (Game 77): Stars Look For Sweep Against Blackhawks

The Stars had a couple days of rest to enjoy their massive 5-0 win against the playoff-bound Edmonton Oilers, and now head to Chicago for a game against a team that is anything but a playoff team.

Jake Oettinger recorded his second shutout in a row and the Stars pushed their now franchise-best win streak to eight games.

Fresh off of Wyatt Johnston becoming the first player in Dallas Stars history to hit 30 goals before the age of 21, Dallas faces another young NHL superstar in Connor Bedard. Bedard is unmistakably the best player on the Blackhawks this season, and the face of the franchise moving forward.

Although Bedard has been held without a goal in his last seven games, he has recorded an assist and at least four shots on goal in four of his last five games. Overall, despite missing a chunk of time due to a fractured jaw, the rookie has 21 goals and 37 assists, with 19 of those points coming on the power play. The Blackhawks have struggled to record wins, though, and that is reflected in Bedard's minus-38 rating.

Chicago has wins in three of their last five games, but has faced about as easy of a schedule as any team in the league. The Hawks have only faced four playoff teams since March 1, and two of them (Philadelphia and the New York Islanders) are only in the postseason by a single point. Facing Dallas is the toughest competition since a Feb. 9 loss to the New York Rangers.

Meanwhile, Dallas is offensively cruising recently, and the Stars had five different goal scorers against Edmonton Wednesday. The scoring depth of the team has always been there, but with the addition of Logan Stankoven, Tyler Seguin back in the lineup and the fourth line finding their chemistry, the Stars look unstoppable. 

However, a surprising call-up could somehow make this roster even better. It was announced Friday that the Stars have called up the leading scorer in the AHL, Mavrik Bourque. 

This was announced in conjunction that some players are battling lingering injuries and that Seguin would have another game off for rest after his return from injury. Head coach Pete DeBoer also announced that Bourque was guaranteed to play during this call-up, but did not divulge in which game he would make his NHL debut. 

Things to watch for:

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It is unclear whether Bourque will slot in for Seguin and what lines will be rolled out if that happens, but with no morning skate for an afternoon game, the suspense will drag on until game time. The same can be said for which goalie will face the Blackhawks. Scott Wedgewood has started all three games against Chicago, but removed himself due to injury in the last matchup on Jan. 13, giving Oettinger the win in relief. Oettinger has been on a heater recently, going 6-0-0 in his last six starts, only allowing seven goals in that time.

With the Avalanche as the opponent on the second night of a back-to-back with the battle for first in the Central Division looming, it seems more likely that Wedgewood will get the start in Chicago. The Blackhawks were one of the first teams eliminated from playoff contention and sit second-to-last in the NHL. If the Stars take care of business, they can widen the gap over Colorado to five points ahead of Sunday night's game, and also extend the franchise record win streak to nine games. 

Puck drop for Saturday's game is at 2:30 p.m. CDT and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Southwest.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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