January 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Luis Crevier (46) holds Dallas Stars right winger Mikko Rantanen (96) in check during the third period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Image It’s been well over a month since the Dallas Stars had to bounce back from a loss.
The Stars will not only try to restore their franchise-record 10-game winning streak against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, but they will also be hoping to avoid having the season series swept at the hands of the struggling Blackhawks.
After building a pair of two-goal leads against Colorado on Friday, Dallas looked good to extend its record-setting run. But the Avalanche rallied to score in overtime with 15 seconds left in regulation and won 5-4 in a shootout.
It was the first loss since Jan. 22 for the Stars, who had given up just five goals in total in their previous four contests.
“We know who we are and what we can do,” said Dallas veteran Jamie Benn, who has scored in back-to-back games and has 12 points in his last nine games.
“We are a confident group and we are one game.”
Dallas has grown successfully despite injuries to star Mikko Rantanen (lower body) and veterans Radek Paksa (upper body) and Lupe Hintz. The latter returned on Friday after missing four days due to illness but was forced off with a lower body injury.
“It’s not fun,” Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen said of Hintz’s injury. “I hope it’s not too serious.”
The Stars are expected to get some reinforcements with recently acquired forward Michael Bunting and defenseman Tyler Myers making their Dallas debuts on Sunday.
Dallas ranks among the NHL leaders with 86 points, but failed to manage a single this season in a 4-3 loss to a Chicago team that ranks last in the Western Conference with 56 points.
The Blackhawks are stuck in a 2-7-3 rut. After starting March with a 4-0 win at Utah, they blew a late 2-1 lead in Winnipeg and fell 3-2 in overtime. On Friday, Chicago won 3-1 against Vancouver to tie the game at three. The Hawks then allowed three goals to the lowly Canucks, losing 6-3.
Chicago, which had allowed just six goals in its three games prior to Friday, traded notable veterans Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson and captain Nick Foligno this week. That leaves us with a very young roster to finish the season.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to play for Chicago. We’ve got to focus on that first, and then we’ve got to focus on where everyone else is going,” said 22-year-old Blackhawks forward Frank Najjar, who has three points in his last two games after missing the previous five.
“We have to show up … play for our defense and be ready from the start.”
Chicago goalie Spencer Knight (2.63 goals-against average) was sidelined Friday due to illness, making way for backup Arvid Soderblom (3.69 GAA), who stopped 16 of 20 shots.
Meanwhile, Dallas’ Jake Ottinger (2.70 GAA) made 25 saves Friday and had his eight-game winning streak ended. Backup Casey DeSmith has made his third straight start and has a 1.43 goals-against average over his last five games.
–Field level media
