DALLAS -- Here are the projected lineups for Thursday night’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.
BLACKHAWKS
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Marian Hossa
Patrick Sharp – Dave Bolland – Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell – Andrew Shaw – Viktor Stalberg
Brandon Bollig – Marcus Kruger – Michael Frolik
Johnny Oduya – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Injuries: Daniel Carcillo (lower body), Steve Montador (upper body)
Scratches: Sheldon Brookbank, Jamal Mayers
Notes: Chicago, which beat St. Louis 3-2 in its-home opener on Tuesday at United Center, is 3-0-0 to start the season for the first time since 1972-73. Through their first three games, the Hawks have killed off 90 percent of opposing power plays, allowing just one power-play goal, tying them for the second-best PK in the League. Chicago is 2-0-0 on the road so far this season. The Hawks and Stars split their four meetings last season with each team winning once at home and once on the road. Seabrook currently leads the league in blocked shots with 13.
STARS
Loui Eriksson - Derek Roy - Jaromir Jagr
Ray Whitney – Cody Eakin - Michael Ryder
Brenden Morrow - Vernon Fiddler - Eric Nystrom
Ryan Garbutt – Tom Wandell - Reilly Smith
Alex Goligoski - Stephane Robidas
Brenden Dillon - Philip Larsen
Christopher Nilstrop
Scratches: Colton Sceviour
Injuries: Aaron Rome (groin)
Notes: Dallas split the two games on its first road trip of the season, losing at Minnesota on Sunday but prevailing 2-1 in Detroit on Tuesday. The Stars did not practice on Wednesday since mechanical issues with the team's plane forced them to spend Tuesday night in the Motor City. They did not arrive back in Dallas until Wednesday evening. Stars second-year head coach Glen Gulutzan flipped Eakin, who had been centering Dallas' fourth line, with Wandell, who had been skating on the second line, against the Red Wings and the move paid off as Eakin assisted on both Stars goals, which were scored by Ryder, who led Dallas with 35 goals last season.
