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Stars hope to rebound versus Blackhawks

Mar 16, 2012 - 2:53 PM (Sports Network) - After suffering their first regulation loss in nearly a month, the Stars will try to get back on track tonight against a visiting Chicago Blackhawks team that Dallas has had a great deal of success against lately.

The Stars had won six straight and were boasting a 10-0-1 record in 11 games heading into Wednesday's tilt in Winnipeg, but the Jets breezed to a 5-2 victory over Dallas. It was the club's first regulation setback since a 3-2 home loss to Nashville on Feb. 19.

The loss in Winnipeg opened the door for Phoenix to tie Dallas for first place in the Pacific Division, but the Coyotes lost a regulation decision in Calgary on Thursday, leaving the Stars with a two-point lead atop the division.

The Stars have won two of three meetings with Chicago this season and have taken five of six from the Blackhawks dating back to last year. Chicago also has lost three straight and four of its last five games in Dallas.

Dallas was down 1-0 after the first period in Winnipeg and then let things get out of hand in the second. The Jets scored three goals in the first 9:15 of the middle stanza and then pushed their lead to 5-0 with 3:48 left in the period.

"We knew they going to come out hard," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said. "After being down 1-0, I thought we were fine, but we just didn't show a lot of resolve in the second."

Loui Eriksson scored both goals for the Stars, while Richard Bachman was tagged for all five tallies on 28 shots in defeat. Bachman was making his just his fourth start since the beginning of February, but No. 1 netminder Kari Lehtonen will be back between the pipes tonight.

Tonight marks the first of four straight on home ice for the Stars, who are 20-12-3 as the host this season. Dallas will welcome the Coyotes for an important Pacific battle on Tuesday before completing the residency with tests against Vancouver and Calgary.

Stars forward Radek Dvorak will miss a third straight game this evening with an ankle injury and defenseman Philip Larsen is questionable after suffering a lower-body injury against the Jets.

Chicago has played solid hockey in recent weeks, winning two of its last three games to post a 5-1-1 mark over its last seven outings. With 84 points, the sixth-seeded Blackhawks are three points ahead of Phoenix and Colorado in the West standings.

The Blackhawks beat the first-place St. Louis Blues in their most recent outing on Tuesday. Patrick Kane netted the lone goal in the shootout to complete Chicago's 4-3 comeback win over the visiting Central Division leaders.

Chicago scored the first goal on Tuesday just 2:51 into the game, but the Blues would hold a 3-1 lead by the end of the opening period. The Blackhawks scored one goal in each of the next two stanzas to force overtime.

After a scoreless extra session, Kane opened the shootout by sliding a backhander between the pads of Jaroslav Halak. Corey Crawford then stopped T.J. Oshie, Andy McDonald and David Perron to cap the win.

"That was a really fun game and it's great to win one of those, especially at home," said Kane. "I think the crowd got us pumped up when we got down there by a couple. Good game and a big two points."

Andrew Brunette, Viktor Stalberg and Brent Seabrook tallied in regulation for the Blackhawks. Ray Emery started in net, but was removed after allowing three goals on six shots in the first period. Crawford ended the contest by stopping 18-of-18 shots through regulation and OT. Crawford will get the start tonight over Emery, who missed practice on Thursday with an illness.

The Blackhawks, who are just 14-18-3 as the road team this year, will be without captain and leading goal-scorer Jonathan Toews for a 12th straight game this evening. Toews, who has 29 goals and 57 points in 59 games, hasn't played since Feb. 19 due to concussion-like symptoms.

Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is questionable for tonight's game with an upper-body injury.