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With 6-4 win, Dallas sweeps season series over Blackhawks

Posted April 10, 2022 1:00 am

By MATT CARLSON Associated Press

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) saves a shot by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. The Stars won 6-4. Associated Press

Jason Robertson scored his team-leading 33rd and 34th goals about three minutes apart, and the Dallas Stars strengthened their hold on a wild-card spot with a 6-4 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday night at the United Center.

Robertson's first goal snapped a 3-all tie with nine minutes left in the second. He then beat Hawks goalie Kevin Lankinen with a perfect screened shot with 5½ minutes left, allowing Dallas to take charge of what had been a seesaw contest and giving the Hawks their seventh straight defeat (0-5-2).

Philipp Kurashev and Jonathan Toews were credited with goals in the first period when their passes deflected in off Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell as he tried to break up plays. Kirby Dach and Boris Katchouk also scored for the Hawks. Patrick Kane had two assists

Lankinen, who was shaky, allowed 5 goals on 20 shots through two periods. He was replaced at the start of the third by Collin Delia, who had 9 saves.

For the Stars, Roope Hintz had a goal and 2 assists, and Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn each added a goal and an assist.

Benn's power-play goal 4:14 into the game opened the scoring. Alone in front, he flipped a rebound off Lankinen and into the net.

The Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead on the fluky goals by Kurashev and Toews. Lindell sprawled to cut off Kurashev's pass to Toews on a 2-on-1, but the puck slid in off the Lindell's body and past Oettinger at 8:09. Oettinger had moved across the crease in anticipation of a shot from Toews and couldn't recover.

Toews made it 2-1 at 11:24 when his pass to Kirby Dach deflected in off Lindell's stick in front of the net.

Pavelski tied it at 2 just over 2 minutes later on a power-play with a doorstep deflection of Tyler Seguin's shot from the left circle.

Hintz made it 3-2 at 1:47 of the second on a quick shot from high in the slot after a turnover by Dach. Katchouk tied it at 3 at 9:11 off a cross-ice pass.

Robertson put Dallas back ahead 2:02 later. After Hintz's shot hit the back boards, Robertson banked the loose puck off Lankinen's pads from the right side of the net.

Robertson made it 5-3 with 5:28 left in the second on a shot through traffic from the right boards that landed just inside the upper left corner of the net.

Seguin completed the scoring with 4:35 left in the third. It was his third goal in four games.

The Stars improved to 41-27-4 and moved 2 points ahead of Vegas for the second Western Conference wild card. Dallas is 1 point behind Nashville, which is in the top wild-card spot. Jake Oettinger made 36 saves in the second of back-to-back games.

The Blackhawks' leading scorer Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome and recently acquired Taylor Raddysh skated together on a line. The three forwards were junior teammates with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Dallas swept the three-game season series over the Hawks.

Dominik Kubalik was a healthy scratch for the second time this season. Katchouk's goal was his first with the Blackhawks after being acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline.

Dallas Stars left wing Michael Raffl, left, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe chase as they battle for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. The Stars won 6-4. Associated Press

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Collin Delia, right, saves a shot against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. The Stars won 6-4. Associated Press

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, right, is checked by Dallas Stars defenseman Ryan Suter during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. The Stars won 6-4. Associated Press

Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, right, is checked by Chicago Blackhawks right wing MacKenzie Entwistle during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. Associated Press

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, second from right, celebrates with center Joe Pavelski (16), and defensemen Esa Lindell (23) and John Klingberg (3) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. Associated Press

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Boris Katchouk (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. Associated Press

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, April, 10, 2022. Associated Press

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