It has been well over a month since the Dallas Stars needed to bounce from a defeat.
Not only will the Stars try to recover from the end of their franchise-record 10-game winning streak when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, they’re hoping avoid an unlikely season series sweep at the hands of the struggling Blackhawks.
After building a pair of two-goal leads Friday versus Colorado, Dallas appeared in good shape to extend its record run. But the Avalanche rallied to force overtime scoring a goal with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, then would go on to win 5-4 in a shootout.
It was the first loss since Jan. 22 for the Stars, who yielded just five total goals in their previous four contests.
“We know who we are and what we can do,” said Dallas veteran Jamie Benn, who has a goal in back-to-back games and 12 points in his last nine.
“We’re a confident group and it’s one game.”
Dallas has managed to thrive despite injuries to star Mikko Rantanen (lower body), veteran Radek Faksa (upper body), and Roope Hintz. The latter returned Friday after missing four days due to illness, only to exit with a lower-body injury.
“It’s not fun,” said Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen of Hintz’s injury. “You hope it is not too serious.”
The Stars are expected to get some reinforcements with recently acquired forward Michael Bunting and defenseman Tyler Myers set to make their Dallas debuts on Sunday.
Dallas ranks among the NHL leaders with 86 points but has managed just one while suffering a pair of 4-3 losses this season to a Chicago squad that sits near the bottom of the Western Conference with 56 points.
The Blackhawks are mired in a 2-7-3 rut. After opening March with a 4-0 win at Utah, they blew a late 2-1 lead at Winnipeg to fall 3-2 in overtime. On Friday, Chicago overcame a 3-1 hole versus Vancouver to tie things entering the third. Then, the Hawks allowed the lowly Canucks to score three times for a 6-3 loss.
Chicago, which allowed just six goals in its three games prior to Friday, traded away notable veterans Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and captain Nick Foligno this week. That leaves an extremely young roster to finish the season.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to play for Chicago, so you’ve got to focus on that first, then where everybody else is going,” said 22-year-old Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar, who has three points in the last two games after being blanked in the previous five.
“We’ve got to show up. … Play to our defense and be ready from the start.”
Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight (2.63 goals-against average) was unavailable Friday due to illness, thus giving way for backup Arvid Soderblom (3.69 GAA) to stop 16 of 20 shots.
Meanwhile, Dallas’ Jake Oettinger (2.70 GAA) made 25 saves Friday while his eight-start winning streak ended. Backup Casey DeSmith has won three straight starts and owns a 1.43 goals-against average in his last five.
