Chance to catch Blackhawks looking much more doable for Stars

Stars (8-8-5, 21 points) vs. Blackhawks (13-9-5, 31 points)

DALLAS -- One of the fun things in this odd season is the fact teams play each other in consecutive games. It brings a bit of a mini-playoff feel, and that's never been more evident than this week when the Stars and Chicago Blackhawks are meeting twice.
The two teams could be in a battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division, as Dallas is 10 points behind Chicago, but has played six fewer games because of postponements caused by COVID and weather. As such, if the Stars can close the gap to eight points and still have a possible 12 points to gain, the chance to catch the Blackhawks looks much more doable.
That makes Thursday's meeting very intense. Mix in the fact the Stars took a 6-1 win over Chicago on Tuesday, and this should be quite an entertaining match.
"Yes, it will be," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "They lost 6-1, so they're going to be better tonight. The emotions are going to be different, they're going to be coming out hard and early. We loved our start last game, and they didn't, so the emotional level going into this game will be different, and we'll be ready for it."
Dallas scored 1:40 into the game and then built on that fast start. It was important for a team that has created a ton of chances this season, but hasn't always been able to cash in. When Joel Kiviranta scored, that brought a bit of optimism to the Stars.

"When you get goals, especially early in games, I think it really helps," said forward Andrew Cogliano. "It builds guys' confidence and gets guys feeling much better. We've created opportunities. I think a lot of guys have done good things offensively, and hopefully those pucks start going in."
Dallas has 15 goals in the past three games and averaged 34 shots on goal in that span. It's a great sign for a team that is 17th in scoring at 2.95 goals per game. What's more, six different players scored last game and there still is potential for a breakout from Jamie Benn or Denis Gurianov.
One thing that could help is the Stars could have the same lineup for two consecutive games. Roope Hintz is a game-time decision with a nagging lower-body injury, but there is a really good chance he plays. It would be only the second time this season the Stars would have the same lineup as they did the previous game.
"We would love to have the same lineup every night," said Bowness. "We're hoping we can get more consistency with our lines, because then you're going to see more goals; the chemistry of the lines is able to come together and read off each other better. When the lines have to change every night, that's not a good thing."
And if you have the same lineup in consecutive games against the same team? Well, that's something that could help build a winning streak -- something this team dearly needs.

"When you're breaking down the film, you're looking at things you have to do better," Bowness said of the challenge of playing the same opponent in consecutive games. "Even though we won 6-1, there are a couple of things we have to do better. That, and try to stay ahead of changes they'll make on their specialty teams.
"Nobody is going to make drastic changes between games because there's just no time. There's subtle changes that they will try to make and there are tendencies in their game that we have to be aware of, and they'll probably do the same thing for us."
Because this game is just as important as the last one.
"In this scenario where we're chasing them for points, it's ideal," Cogliano said of the scheduling format. "Obviously, it's a big game, just like last game was."

Out since Feb. 4, Radulov inching closer to return

Alexander Radulov had maybe his most aggressive skate Thursday morning, a sign that maybe he's getting close to returning to play. Radulov's last game was Feb. 4. He aggravated a lower-body injury at the time, and he is scheduled to miss his 14th game tonight.
"From what I can tell, he's flying all over the ice," Bowness said. "When Rads is out there and he's all wound up, you better pick your head up. You never know where he's going to be. He's moving great."

Bowness said he will talk to assistant John Stevens about how Radulov looked in his skate with the healthy scratches. Dallas leaves Friday for a two-game road trip to Columbus, and Radulov could be a candidate to play in a game either Saturday or Sunday.
"He's got to get into some battles. I'll talk to John and see how he did with that," Bowness said. "It's one thing to be out there skating around at 100 miles an hour. It's another thing to get into physical, 1-on-1 battles along the boards and have to push using your lower core. We'll have to see. Skating legs are there. We'll see how the rest is after the practice this morning."

Dallas could stick with same lineup

Anton Khudobin is back in net.
There is a chance the Stars use the same lineup for consecutive games.
Jamie Benn played with Joe Pavelski and Denis Gurianov, Hintz centered Jason Robertson and Joel Kiviranta, Jason Dickinson was between Andrew Cogliano and Blake Comeau, and Radek Faksa centered Nick Caamano and Ty Dellandrea.

By the numbers

29

Chicago forward Patrick Kane has tallied 29 goals against the Stars, most against any opponent in his NHL career. Kane has 63 points in 54 career games vs. Dallas. Kane also has 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in his past 19 overall games.

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34.5

Chicago has allowed 34.5 shots on goal per game, most in the NHL. Dallas had 37 shots on goal against the Blackhawks Tuesday.

4

Stars forward Jason Robertson had four assists Tuesday, tying a franchise record for assists and points in a single game by a rookie.

He said it

"He's taking strides every day. I feel like he's getting more comfortable around the guys, as well. You can tell that he's got confidence out there on the ice. We know he's a very skilled player. What I like from him right now, it seems like he's playing with a lot of poise and the puck seems to find him. He's a smart player." -- Stars defenseman John Klingberg on Robertson
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.