NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks continue their six-game homestand with the second game of a back-to-back set, hosting the Dallas Stars tonight following last night’s 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is the second meeting between these teams this season, with the Stars having won on December 18 in a 4-3 overtime game in Dallas. This is Dallas’ only trip to Chicago this season. The Blackhawks come into tonight’s game at 3-8-1 in their last 12 games since January 17. The Stars are fighting for a playoff spot, sitting just one point back of the L.A. Kings for the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference. They are six points back of the Nashville Predators for the top wildcard spot and fourth-place in the Central Division.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, ESPN+ (out-of-market)
Radio: WGN 720 AM, TUDN 1200 AM (Spanish)
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (18-25-7)
Hagel – Reichel – Kane
DeBrincat – Dach – Entwistle
Kubalík – Strome – Lafferty
Kurashev – Carpenter – Borgström
de Haan – S. Jones
C. Jones – Murphy
McCabe – Regula
Fleury
Stars (26-19-2)
Robertson – Hintz – Pavelski
Benn – Seguin – Gurianov
Kero – Peterson – Radulov
Raffl – Glendening – Kiviranta
Faksa*
Suter – Heiskanen
Lindell – Klingberg
Harley – Hakanpaa
Oettinger
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Tyler Johnson (Day-to-Day – Neck Surgery)
Kevin Lankinen (Day-to-Day – Hand)
Jonathan Toews (IR – Concussion Protocol)
Riley Stillman (IR – Upper Body)
Reese Johnson (IR – Broken Clavicle)
Jujhar Khaira (LTIR – Back Spasms)
Stars:
Andrej Sekera (IR – Upper Body)
What To Watch For
• Lukas Reichel makes his way back to the NHL tonight, beginning his second stint with the Blackhawks this season. He made his NHL debut on January 13 and played twice for Chicago during his first trip to the NHL as a rookie. Reichel, the Blackhawks’ 2020 first round draft pick, has been one of the best rookies in the AHL this season with 33 points in 33 games. He is one of eight AHL rookies to be playing at a point-per-game pace and leads the IceHogs in goals (14), assists (19), and points.
• Marc-André Fleury returns to the net tonight for the Blackhawks. He has made 16 starts over Chicago’s last 20 games since January 1. He holds a 7-7-2 record. with a .907 save-percentage and a 2.92 GAA in those 16 starts.
• The Blackhawks are allowing the fifth-most goals allowed per game (3.60) in the NHL since January 1, while the Stars rank 12th in the league in goals scored per game (3.22) in that same span. Chicago has scored four or more goals in four of their last eight games, going 2-2-0 in those four contests.
Get Caught Up
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in goal tonight vs. Dallas.
Lukas Reichel, Henrik Borgstrom and Alec Regula are in. Brett Connolly, Josiah Slavin and Erik Gustafsson are out. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 18, 2022
It sounds like this will *probably* be another short NHL stint for Reichel, likely 2 games.
But he’ll be back on the 1st line with Kane and Hagel tonight.
Borgstrom also back in the lineup with Connolly and Slavin out. And Regula will replace Gustafsson on defense.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 18, 2022
Lukas Reichel said he feels way more confident today than he when he was first called up to NHL in January: “I feel great and happy to be here.”
He said his play away from the puck has improved. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/sRkULBBEv2
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 18, 2022
Jonathan Toews (concussion protocol) a full participant in today’s optional morning skate. Riley Stillman (shoulder) and Reese Johnson (clavicle) also on the ice in non-contact jerseys. #Blackhawks
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) February 18, 2022
