Blackhawks vs stars

Dallas has been able to outscore its defensive deficiencies for most of the season, but with an ailing blue line and a couple of notable slumps among their forward corps, the holes are being exposed. The Stars' tandem of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are tied for the second-worst even-strength save percentage in the NHL at .914, and neither netminder has been able to establish themselves as the clear-cut starter heading into the playoff run. Niemi has started 38 games to Lehtonen's 30 and has posted a 22-12-6 record with a .903 SV%, while his fellow Finn is 18-8-2 with a .902 SV%. Still, Niemi did author a 20-save shutout against the Blackhawks on Dec. 22 and has three career blank sheets against his former team. Whoever is in net on Friday, Chicago will need to test him early and often and continue to get traffic in front.

THE FINAL WORD

The Stars have a punishing remaining schedule, and with the Blues arriving in town on the Blackhawks' heels, Friday's tilt could represent a turning point in the Central Division title race. All three matchups between Dallas and Chicago so far this season have been rather lopsided affairs, and with injuries decimating their blue line, the Stars will need their offense to start connecting as well as a more inspired goaltending performance than they've been getting in recent weeks. The Blackhawks have relied on a red-hot power play and stellar outings by Corey Crawford to carry them through some tough games recently, and if they can't take advantage of the Stars at even strength, fans could see more of the same storylines playing out on Friday. But there shouldn't be lack of motivation on either side, not with two big points on the line.