At a Glance
- 4-3 win over Dallas Stars in a shootout
- Blackhawks snapped a six-game losing streak
- First victory since Connor Bedard’s injury on Dec. 12
- Nick Lardis scored the decisive shootout goal
- Why it matters: It marks a turning point for Chicago’s season and gives hope after a long slump
The Chicago Blackhawks edged the Dallas Stars 4-3 in a dramatic shootout Saturday night, ending a six-game losing streak and their first win since Connor Bedard was sidelined.
Game Highlights
Tyler Bertuzzi and Jason Dickinson each added a goal for Chicago, while Arvid Soderblom made 28 saves in overtime. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists for Dallas, joined by Nils Lundkvist and Justin Hrychowian.
- Nick Lardis – rookie, sixth NHL game, first shootout goal
- Jake Oettinger – 30 saves for Dallas
- Alex Vlasic – two assists for Chicago
- Wyatt Johnston – three assists for Dallas
- Arvid Soderblom – 12th start, snapped a five-game skid, allowed 29 goals
- Tyler Bertuzzi – ended a seven-game pointless streak
Statistical Snapshot
| Category | Chicago | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 3 |
| Shootout Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Saves | 28 | 30 |
| Overtime | 1 | 0 |
The game also featured a 0-for-4 power-play by Dallas against Chicago’s penalty kill, which ranks fourth in the league.
Streaks and Records
- Chicago snapped a six-game losing streak and recorded its first win since Bedard’s injury on Dec. 12.
- Dallas lost its second consecutive game after a four-game winning streak.
- Mikko Rantanen has 39 assists this season, second in the NHL, and a six-game point streak (2-10-12).
- Nils Lundkvist scored his first goal since the season-opening game after missing 25 games.
- Justin Hrychowian has a five-game point streak (3-2-5).
Upcoming Games
The Blackhawks will host Pittsburgh on Sunday night, while the Stars will host Buffalo on New Year’s Eve. The two teams will meet again in Chicago on New Year’s night.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago’s 4-3 shootout win ends a six-game skid.
- Rookie Nick Lardis nets the decisive shootout goal.
- First victory since Bedard’s injury signals a potential turnaround.
The win offers a glimmer of hope for the Blackhawks, who have struggled throughout the season, and sets the stage for their upcoming matchups.
