Blackhawks-Stars: Blackhawks Goaltending and Speed Dazzle Dallas

The Blackhawks did not get out to a particularly fast start Thursday night in Dallas as the Stars out shot the Hawks' 14-7 in the opening frame. Thankfully for Blackhawks fans, Nikolai Khabibulin made his second consecutive start after his impressive win against Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Khabibulin stopped 13 of the 14 in the first, allowing the Hawks' to remain only one goal down after Brendan Morrow opened the scoring. The fact the Hawks' remained close was key because Patrick Kane was able to steer one past Marty Turco to tie the game with just 47 seconds to go in the First period.

The Hawks' came out in the Second period with a little bit more jump. The first showing of the spark came from Jonathan Toews when he streaked through the neutral zone and carried the puck wide on the Stars defenseman who was forced to obstruct Toews. This resulted in a power play.

The Hawks' did not convert on the power play. However, the pace picked up from that moment on. A face off came shortly after that power play ended outside the Hawks' zone. Dave Bolland tapped the puck forward, and a motoring Ben Eager chipped the puck past Darryl Sydor and was off to the races on a two-on-one.

Eager finished the play with a wrist shot between the legs of Turco putting the Hawks' up 2-1.

Mike Modano evened the game up again on a power play scoring on a shot off nice cross ice pass from Brad Richards.

A Trevor Daley holding penalty put the Blackhawks on the man advantage once again. A red hot Kris Versteeg controlled the puck on the left boards, then found Brian Campbell who fired a slap shot into traffic on net that found its way to the behind Turco putting the Hawks back on top 3-2.

The Dallas Stars tried to rally, and were successful when James Neal beat Khabibulin to tie the game at Three with just over Four minutes to go in the Second period. Mike Ribero was sent off shortly after this goal for interference.

On the ensuing power play, with just 30 seconds remaining, Campbell returned the favor to Kris Versteeg.

Campbell found a flying Versteeg down the left wing. He carried the puck wide, and around a grasping Sydor. Turco then sprawled across the lower part of the net forcing Versteeg to make one more move to beat him. The rookie pulled the puck slightly to the right around Turco and slid it into the empty net for one of the nicest goals so far this year.

Versteeg played the game tonight at a level that was much higher than most rookies can hope to be at ever.  He tallied his amazing goal and added the assist on Campbell's.  Also excelling on the Penalty Kill.

The Third period was controlled by the Chicago Blackhawks, who out shot the Stars 10-7 that period. Reaping the reward for the team's solid play in the defensive zone and break out game was Martin Havlat. 

Havlat added the Fifth goal of the night. He took a drop pass from Troy Brouwer, and then snapped a quick shot under the arm of Marty Turco.  Patrick Kane later accelerated through the neutral zone past an out of place Brad Richards to pot the final goal of the night into the empty net making the final Chicago Blackhawks Six and the Dallas Stars Three.

The Blackhawks will next play in Toronto against the Maple Leafs (7-8-4). This is a Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Will that add any pressure to the young Blackhawks team?  

Time will tell, but having over come a few small hurdles in the last couple games. I feel the Blackhawks should be able to come out and play strong. The eyes of a whole lot of Canadians should not be something to be intimidated about.