Stars-Blackhawks Preview

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About the Stars

The Stars had their six-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 shootout loss at Columbus Monday. The Blue Jackets tied the game with a power play goal with 47 seconds left in regulation before winning the game in the shootout.

?We got an unfortunate break at the end and they won in the shootout. All in all I can't be too disappointed,? said Stars coach Marc Crawford. ?We just have to focus on getting ourselves better and start a new streak. We got a valuable point in this game and try to get two the next one.?

The Stars are 8-1-2 in their last 11 games overall.

Kari Lehtonen will start in goal for Dallas.

Injuries: F Toby Petersen (hand), F Krys Barch (foot/ankle) and D Mark Fistric (groin/hip flexor) are out.

About the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks won for the fourth time in five games, topping the Calgary Flames 3-2 Sunday at the United Center. The Blackhawks, who were playing without Marian Hossa, lost Patrick Kane in the first minute of the game.

"We found a way to win, and we'll have to do that in the future without Kaner,? said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. ?We've found a way to play without some of our top players and know we don't have a choice. We'll do it without Kaner."

The Blackhawks announced Tuesday that Kane will be out three weeks with a lower body injury.

Corey Crawford will start in goal for Chicago.

Injuries: RW Patrick Kane (lower body), RW Marian Hossa (lower body) and RW Fernando Pisani (upper body) are out.
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Series Notes

* This is the first of four meeting between the Stars and Blackhawks.
* The Stars were 2-1-1 against Chicago last season.
* Chicago was 2-2-0 against the Stars last season.

Statistical Tidbits

* The Stars are 3-0-1 in their last four road games.
* The Blackhawks have won three straight at home.
* Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen is 4-0-1 in his last five starts.
* Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford is 6-0-0 in his last six starts.
* The Stars are 17-19 on the penalty kill over the last eight games.
* Chicago is 7-18 on the power play over the last three games.
* Dallas is 2-41 on the power play in road games this season.

 

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Hawks must forge ahead without Kane, Hossa
Kane gone up to 3 weeks; Hossa out at least another week




After too many missed opportunities to earn points during the season's early portion, the Blackhawks realize they can't afford to just bide their time until Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa return from injuries.

The news that Kane will be sidelined up to three weeks with a left leg injury suffered Sunday night during a 4-2 victory over the Flames was good in that the winger won't be gone for an extended period, but bad because the Hawks stumbled out of the gate and need victories. Combined with Hossa's lower-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup until at least next week, the Hawks must forge ahead without two of their offensive stars.

"It's tough when they are out but injuries do happen and we're going to have to try and find ways to win games and not just tread water waiting for those guys to return," winger Troy Brouwer said.

Entering Tuesday night's action around the NHL, the Hawks were fifth in the Western Conference with 32 points and had played as many as four more games than conference opponents.


"We need wins ? there's no secret about that," forward Patrick Sharp said. "It's different with those two guys out of the lineup. We probably won't be scoring six or seven goals a game but if we keep things simple and play the way our coaches stress and talk about every day there's no reason why we can't continue to win."

With the balance in the conference, few teams can be considered out of the running for the eight playoff spots as 12 are within nine points of the front-running Detroit Red Wings. Despite more than half the season remaining, a sense of urgency has creeped into the Hawks' minds as they stand with a 15-12-2 record.

"The conference is stacking up and everybody's in the mix and it's going to make for a great run right to the end," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We want to make sure no matter who's in the lineup to take care of business and value the two points. Certainly you know you're missing some key pieces that play quality ice time but at the same time we know that checking is going to be at a priority and let's emphasize that.

"A while ago you might have thought it might have been 100 (points needed). You have to anticipate you're going to need 95-plus. We're behind the curve (but) I think we're in the pack. The only team right now that probably feels comfortable is Detroit in our conference."

To get comfortable themselves, the Hawks will need to find ways to win despite the loss of Kane, who was injured when he fell awkwardly into the boards after a check by the Flames' Cory Sarich. Kane appeared to jam his left skate into the boards as he tried to spin away from the hit.

"Kane's probably going to be out upward of three weeks," Quenneville said. "We're hoping that's the maximum. He's progressing right now."