Chicago Blackhawks Return Home to Take On Red-Hot Dallas Stars

Game Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks return to the United Center tonight to face the Dallas Stars after a fairly successful road trip to start the second half of the season.

Although the 'Hawks road trip ended on a bit of a sour note last night as they were shutout against the St. Louis Blues, 1-0. The 'Hawks have struggled to figure out their divisional foe but only face them one more time for the rest of the season.

Tonight the 'Hawks look to get their offense going once again as the welcome the surging Dallas Stars to Chicago. The Blackhawks have played the Stars well this season with two offensive outpourings  but this is a different Stars team than the one they faced in late November.

Although the Stars have lost their captain Brenden Morrow and jettisoned their troublesome forward Sean Avery the Stars look stronger than ever.

The resurgent Stars have been lead by veterans Mike Ribiero Jere Lehtinen but have also been fueled by rookie forward James Neal. Neal has been playing well as a late with nine points in his last eight games including three multi-point games.

At the moment it is unknown who the goal-tender will be in this tilt as both teams played last night and both goalies in those games played well. If the 'Hawks decide to give Cristobal Huet the night of it will be rookie goal-tender Antii Niemi who would be making his NHL debut.

Niemi did face the Stars twice in the preseason making 69 saves combined in both games and having a save percentage of 86.95 in those two games. 

The problem the 'Hawks have had in their last two games of the road trip was their offense scoring only two goals in their last two games. If it was not for an outstanding effort by Nikolai Khabibulin against the Atlanta Thrashers the 'Hawks might have ended the road trip very sour.

If the 'Hawks offense is able to find its groove once again against the Stars they will be able to provided the Stars with a difficult task on this Valentine's Day. 

Players To Watch

Patrick Kane

To say "Kaner" has been struggling as of late would be a gross under statement. Kane has been unable to find the back of the net in his last seven games and only has one goal over his last 20 games.

Tonight Kane goes against a team that he has had great success against this season with three goals and two assists against the Stars this season. In his six career games against the Stars he also has eight points. 

So if their was a night for Kane to bounce back from the adversities he has faced lately, tonight would be that night.

James Neal

Yes, usually I only profile Blackhawks players to watch for but Ken Armer I decided to throw in a Dallas Stars player. Neal is have a fantastic rookie season and has really benefited from the increase in ice time with the departures of Morrow and Avery.

Neal has 28 points on the season including 18 goals, not bad for a rookie season thus far. Blackhawks fans make sure you keep your eyes on this kid because he is dangerous with the puck in the offensive zone.

News and Notes

Dustin Byfuglien and James Wisniewski were both scratches once again for the game against the St. Louis Blues but expect Wisniewski to make his return to the lineup tonight against the Stars. 

However it is unclear what the status of Byfuglien is for the Stars game. It is likely that Coach Quenneville wants him to get his head right before he is reinserted into the 'Hawks lineup. 

Projected Blackhawks Lineup

Forwards

Brouwer-Toews-Sharp

Adams/Byfuglien-Versteeg-Kane

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Burish-Fraser-Eager

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Campbell-Walker

Wisniewski/Johnson-Barker

Goal Tender

TBA