Final
Dallas 1 – Chicago 4
10 seconds. That’s all the Chicago Blackhawks needed to put Stars in a bind. 1 minute 42 seconds. That’s all the Blackhawks needed to put the Stars away. A ridiculously quick start from Chicago in this game just killed Dallas and they could never recover from it.
The Stars were playing tentative all night in what should have been one of the most important games of the season. Plain and simple, this was an emotionless no-show from this team. They were whipped up and down the ice, especially in the first and third periods. Dallas couldn’t get pressure on the net and couldn’t keep the Hawks away from their own net. Turnovers plagued the team once again and led to both of the goals in the third period for Chicago.
The fans filled the barn and were ready to cheer the team on but they were taken out of it quickly and were never given an opportunity or reason to get into the game. It’s frustratingly disappointing to see the Stars just not play with any fire. Jamie Benn would score the only Stars goal late in the third period off of a Blackhawks turnover. Steve Ott fed a beautiful pass between the legs of a couple of defenders to Benn right in front of the net. Benn would roof the puck for the Stars only goal.
Kari Lehtonen had a troublesome game, one of his worst of the season, but he didn’t get any help from his defensemen either as they kept turning the puck over. When Dallas actually did manage to get some pressure on Corey Crawford, he was more than able to stop the puck.
The Stars still sit in third place in the West but only hold a two point lead over the Phoenix Coyotes. Dallas’ next game just happens to be against them on Tuesday.
more after the jump
Game Notes:
- The goal for Jamie Benn set a new career high in points (57) for the youngster. He now has 22 goals on the season, which he has done all three years of his NHL career. He looks primed to break that mark this season though,
- The Stars received no power plays for the second game in a row. They’ve had trouble getting calls all season.
- Dallas continued to play a physical game against the Blackhawks. They outhit the Hawks 40-14 in this game. Steve Ott led the team with nine hits.
- Adam Pardy was terrible in this one. He was a culprit in two of the four goals for the Hawks and was on the ice for a third. On the first goal, he ended up screening Kari Lehtonen and he had a turnover that led to the third goal for the Hawks.
Game Stats and Scoring Summary:
| Dallas | Chicago | |
| Score | 1 | 4 |
| Shots | 22 | 31 |
| Penalty Minutes | 8 | 2 |
| Power Plays | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 15 | 20 |
| Hits | 41 | 14 |
| Faceoff Wins | 25 | 33 |
1st Period:
- 0:10 – Dave Bolland (18)
Assists: Andrew Shaw (5), Bryan Bickell (11)
- 1:42 – Patrick Sharp (27)
Assists: Viktor Stalberg (18), Brent Seabrook (22)
2nd Period: No goals
3rd Period:
- 0:33 – Marian Hossa (28)
Assist: Patrick Kane (40)
- 1:45 – Patrick Sharp (28)
Assists: Viktor Stalberg (19), Johnny Oduya (14)
- 14:10 – Jamie Benn (22)
Assists: Steve Ott (25), Loui Eriksson (40)
