Game Recap: Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks | 12/31/23

The Dallas Stars wrapped up 2023 with a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. The Stars routed the Blackhawks 8-1 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas improved to 22-9-4, while Chicago fell to 11-23-2.

The Stars’ starting lineup featured Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, Ryan Suter, and Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood stopped 23 of 24 shots for a near-perfect win. Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek made 25 saves in a losing effort.

The Stars stole the first lead of the game, thanks to Craig Smith. Smith scored on a snap shot to put the Stars up 1-0 at 11:35 of the first period. Jani Hakanpää and Esa Lindell collected the assists on Smith’s third of the season. The Stars’ first goal was first credited to Sam Steel.

The Stars doubled the lead to 2-0 at 17:16 of the first. Ryan Suter fired a wrist shot into the Blackhawks’ net. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen collected the assists on Suter’s first of the season.

The Stars tripled the lead to 3-0 at 19:11 of the first. Tyler Seguin concluded the first-period scoring with a tip-in goal. Mason Marchment and Matt Duchene collected the assists on Seguin’s 11th of the season.

The Stars led 3-0 at the end of the first. Dallas outshot Chicago 17-5 after the opening 20 minutes. Dallas made it 4-0 at 3:45 of the second period. Sam Steel put home a backhand shot to extend the scoring. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen collected the assists on Steel’s third of the season.

The Stars extended the lead to 5-0 at 12:50 of the second. Mason Marchment capitalized on the man advantage and blasted a wrist shot into the Blackhawks’ net for a power-play goal. Tyler Seguin and Nils Lundkvist collected the assists on Marchment’s 11th of the season.

Dallas carried a 5-0 lead to the locker room at the end of two periods. Dallas outshot Chicago 27-16 after the middle 40 minutes. The Blackhawks finally got on the board in the third period. Philipp Kurashev capitalized on the man advantage and scored a power-play goal on a snap shot to cut the Stars’ lead to 5-1 just 39 seconds in. Connor Bedard and Cole Guttman collected the assists on Kurashev’s seventh of the season.

The Stars expanded the lead to 6-1 at 4:46 of the third. Roope Hintz deflected a shot into the Blackhawls’ net. Thomas Harley and Joe Pavelski collected the assists on Hintz’s 15th of the season. Dallas took a 7-1 lead at 14:29 of the third. Mason Marchment tipped in a shot. Tyler Seguin and Matt Duchene collected the assists on Marchment’s 12th of the season and second of the evening.

Mason Marchment tipped in another shot and recorded a hat trick to seal the scoring, 8-1, at 18:58. The Stars routed the Blackhawks 8-1 in regulation. Dallas outshot Chicago 41-24 after a full 60 minutes.

Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Scott Wedgewood (1.00 GAA and .958% SV%)
2. Tyler Seguin (3 points: 1 goal and 2 assists)
3. Mason Marchment (4 points: 3 goals and 1 assist)

Up Next
The Stars will welcome the Montreal Canadiens to the American Airlines Center on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Central.

ITR 32: The Final Countdown – Inside The Rink

Join Chris and Conrad as they discuss everything in the world of hockey, including the Washington Capitals making two significant contract signings and the NHL Salary Cap to keep rising. John Tortorella is out of Philly, Eastern & Western Conference Roundups & More.

1. ITR 32: The Final Countdown 45:55
2. ITR 31: Let Them Fight 01:03:52
3. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
4. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
5. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07