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Richards ready to make Stars debut vs. Blackhawks

Feb 28, 2008 - 1:55 PM Chicago (30-27-6) at Dallas (40-22-5) 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) - It's not like they needed it, but help is on the way for the Pacific Division-leading Dallas Stars.

Brad Richards will join his new team for the first time on Thursday when the Stars host the Chicago Blackhawks.

Richards, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lighting along with goalie Johan Holmqvist for a package of three players and a 2009 fourth-round draft pick on Tuesday, has 18 goals and 51 points this season.

The 27-year-old center joins a team which has won three straight games, including a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues just hours after adding the 2004 Conn Smythe winner.

While Dallas appears to need little help during the regular season with a six-point lead atop the Pacific and a 12-2-0 record since January 29, Richards could pay dividends in the playoffs, where the Stars have been ousted in the first round each of the past three seasons.

Despite the recent surge, the Stars are 1-2-0 this season against the Blackhawks, who are coming off a 1-0 victory against the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday.

Jason Williams scored the lone tally of the contest with just over 12 minutes left in the first period and Patrick Lalime made 32 saves to register his first shutout since February 7, 2007 as Chicago improved to 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.