The Chicago Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday as losers of five of their last six games, in third place in the Western Conference and four points behind the first place Dallas Stars. If they beat their division foes, they can close their deficit to two points. If they don’t, if they lose in regulation, their deficit will grow to six points.
With nine games remaining, this is a huge one for the Blackhawks, and the Stars understand that. It’s also pretty big for the frontrunners.
“We’re going to see their best game. I know the situation they are in, and I know what they are thinking,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff told the team’s official website. “In the same sense, it is a big game for us. We’ve had a lot of big games; we’ve had a lot of big challenges, and we’ve been able to meet most of those challenges. I think the table has been set for a heck of a hockey game.”
The Stars have won three of four from the reigning Stanley Cup Champions this season, but they aren’t taking anything for granted going into Tuesday night.
“You can never really count the Hawks out,” said Stars forward Patrick Sharp. “Despite the score, despite what has happened in previous games, they are a tough team to beat.”
