On the eve of the NHL trade deadline, the Blackhawks took on the Dallas Stars. The Stars were shining brightly in February winning five of their last seven coming into there Sunday matchup. With trade rumors swirling around the team, the Blackhawks had to hunker down and focus on the Stars.
In a must-have game for the Blackhawks, they were dominated early by the Stars. At one point in the first period, the Stars were outshooting the Blackhawks 10-4. With Corey Crawford fighting for his life, the Stars finally broke through. The defensemen of the Blackhawks failed to put a body on veteran winger Joe Pavelski, who picked up juicy rebound for the first goal of the game.
Put it away, put it away, put it away now. #CHIvsDAL | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/Thx3EMK9cF
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 23, 2020
The Blackhawks were lucky to escape the first period trailing by only one goal. In the second period, searching for their first goal of the game, The Blackhawks drew a penalty on the Stars. On the ensuing faceoff, Dominik Kubalik scored a goal off the faceoff or did he?
GOAL!
No goal?
Kubalik scores off the draw but an interference penalty is called on Toews.
Alrighty then.#CHIvsDAL pic.twitter.com/YlTC5Vhi7W
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 23, 2020
After having a goal waved off due to a controversial penalty, the Blackhawks had to regroup and refocus on tying the game. Soon after, Kubalik blasted a laser past Stars goalie Anton Khudodin. It was Kubalik’s 26th goal of the season and his 20th goal in his last 33 games.
Patrick Kane to Dominik Kubalik, who buries his 26th goal of the season. Lethal shot. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/j3Ot3BjaTA
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 23, 2020
Kubalik was one of the highlights of the game yesterday. Later in the second period, Stars forward Tyler Sequin got loose in front of the net and snuck a puck past Crawford to give the Stars the lead. With the Blackhawks reeling from the Seguin goal, Duncan Keith hooked Mattias Janmark with three minutes left in the period. Janmark was awarded a penalty shot.
Crow vs. Janmark
Advantage: CROW 🥅 pic.twitter.com/kZulRDAi83
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) February 23, 2020
Crawford stonewalling Janmark ended the second period and provided one of the biggest bright spots of the game. In the third period, the Blackhawks tried to mount a comeback but were unavailable to solve Khudobin for the second time of the game. The Blackhawks fell to the Stars 2-1.
The Blackhawks will return to action against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.