Stars 4, Blackhawks 2

Stars 4, Blackhawks 2

Three Stars

1. Patrick Eaves, Stars -- Gets second hat trick of his career and absolutely silences United Center.

2. Kari Lehtonen, Stars -- Stepped up big time in third period, stopping 19 of 21 shots.

3. Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks -- Two assists, gritty third period.

Key save

After allowing two goals in the third period, Lehtonen stood up during a penalty kill. He stopped Patrick Kane with his mask on one side of the net, and then slid to force Kane to shoot wide at the other side of the net.

Discuss

With Patrik Nemeth playing well beside Johnny Oduya, can the Stars reunite the pair of Jordie Benn and Jason Demers when Demers returns from the illness that kept him out Thursday?

What does it mean?

The Stars needed an answer to Chicago's 5-1 win on Saturday, and they received one. Dallas is now one point behind the Blackhawks for first place in the Central Division with three games in hand.

THE GOALS

Stars: Jamie Benn found Patrick Eaves with a cross-ice pass, and Eaves whipped a shot in over Corey Crawford from a very hard angle at 3:19 of the first period. Stars 1, Blackhawks 0.

Stars: With the two teams skating four on four, John Klingberg calmly skated down into the slot and flipped a backhand on net that deflected in off a Chicago defenseman at 9:44 of the first period. Stars 2, Blackhawks 0.

Stars: With Dallas on the power play, Tyler Seguin made a one-handed pass out of the corner that Patrick Eaves redirected in at the net. Stars 3, Blackhawks 0.

Stars: With Dallas on the power play, Tyler Seguin took a shot on net, and Eaves batted the rebound out of the air and into the net for his third goal of the game at 19:44 of the first period. Stars 4, Blackhawks 0.

Blackhawks: Duncan Keith blasted a shot from the point that deflected in off Klingberg 32 seconds into the third period. Stars 4, Blackhawks 1.

Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews won a faceoff back to Patrick Kane, who whipped in his 33rd goal of the season at 7:48 of the third period. Stars 4, Blackhawks 2.

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