The Chicago Blackhawks will welcome the struggling Dallas Stars to the United Center this Sunday. The Western Conference foes have previously met three times this season, with Chicago being the victor on all three occasions. The first meeting, the Star’s home opener, resulted in a 3-2 Chicago shootout win highlighted by Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford recording 34 saves. The second meeting, held in Chicago, was a 6-2 routing as Patrick Kane lead the way tallying 2 assists and a goal. The third meeting alike the first, required overtime, as the Blackhawks again emerged victorious as Patrick Sharp fired home to lift them to a 5-4 win.
The Blackhawks firepower has been the storyline in the first three meetings as they have scored 13 goals on a total of 111 shots. Kari Lehtonen has struggled against the ‘Hawks in net so far. The Finnish goaltender has averaged a lackluster 4.19 goals allowed per game average with a save percentage of .833. With the ‘Hawks leading the NHL in goals allowed, giving up a mere average of 2.2 goals per game, Dallas will need a major effort from leading scorer and points getter Tyler Seguin in order to put an end to the previous onslaughts.
Stars vs. Blackhawks tickets are currently available on the secondary market at an average of $343.25. This resale price reflects the Blackhawk’s impressive 15-5-1 record at the United Center so far this season. With a get-in price of $145.00, this will be the last time for Blackhawk fans to see Dallas at the United Center during the regular season. United Center parking starts at $20 for this game. On the other hand, for Dallas fans traveling to this game Navy Pier parking is available and convenient to certain tourist attractions. This will be the final overall meeting of this pair this season, unless the teams meet in the playoffs.
With Corey Crawford the presumed start for this match-up, the Stars will have their hands full. In the three previous meeting Crawford has endured a brilliant run, with a goals against average of 2.88 and a save percentage of .913%. Chicago’s line-up contains 5 players selected for this seasons All-Star game; Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook as well as Crawford himself. Kane and Keith have especially showcased why they were chosen against the Stars, as the pair has combined for a total of 4 goals and 7 assists through the first three contests.
For the Stars to come out victorious this Sunday, they will need to focus on creating scoring opportunities in the third period. In the first three meetings, the Stars have been outshot 47 to 29 in the third period. Additionally, they will need to better play from forwards Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The feature forwards have failed to demonstrate the ability to threaten the Chicago defense with Benn recording a single goal, Seguin a single assists and the pair averaging a combined plus minus of negative 1. Fans attending this game can look forward to a high scoring affair, as a total of 21 goals have been scored in the meetings so far.
