PREVIEW: Blackhawks vs. Stars - May 9, 2021

TIME: 6 p.m. CT
TV:NBCSCH | RADIO:WGN 720-AM / TUDN 1200-AM | STREAM:
NHL.TV
&
MyTeamsApp
The Blackhawks and Stars close out the 2020-21 season with a doubleheader beginning Sunday night at the United Center.

TEAM RECORDS

CHI: 23-25-6, 52 PTS
DAL: 22-18-14, 58 PTS

LAST TIME OUT

Chicago took a comeback win in overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night in the final road game of the season. Riley Stillman tied the game 1-1 with just over three minutes left in regulation and Alex DeBrincat found the winner in overtime for the 2-1 victory.
Dallas took a 5-2 win in Tampa Bay on Friday night to keep their playoff hopes alive for the time being, but they were officially eliminated from contention on Saturday as Nashville clinched the final spot with a 3-1 win over Carolina.

RETURN OF FANS

Sunday's game marks the first time this season fans will return to the United Center as a limited capacity will be on hand for the final two home games. It's the first game since March 11, 2020 to see spectators on hand for a Blackhawks home game.

ON THE PROWL

DeBrincat recorded the game-winning goal in overtime to extend his goal streak (6G) to a career-long five games and his point streak to six games (6G, 2A) on Thursday night. He shares second in the NHL with three overtime goals. His 29 markers during the 2020-21 campaign are fifth in the league. That figure is his second-highest single-season mark (41 in 2018-19).
Since he returned to the lineup on Feb. 2 after being removed from COVID-19 protocol, DeBrincat is second in the league with 27 markers. His 1.04 points per game average this year would be a new career high.

FIRST TIMERS

Stillman registered his first career NHL goal to tie the score at one on Thursday against the Hurricanes. Stillman is the eighth Blackhawk to notch their first career goal this season.
Mike Hardman scored his first career NHL goal on Tuesday night, which was also his first career NHL point. MacKenzie Entwistle recorded the primary assist on the play for his first career NHL point as well. They were the first Blackhawks to register their first NHL points on the same play since October 6, 2007 when Patrick Kane and Magnus Johansson notched their firsts with helpers on a Tuomo Ruutu goal that evening. The last time it happened with a goal scorer was April 5, 2007 against Detroit as Bryan Bickell scored the goal and Jonas Nordqvist got the assist.

KUB-ELITE

Dominik Kubalik had an assist in Chicago's last game. He has seven points (3G, 4A) over his last eight games.
Kubalik registered a four-game point streak (2G, 3A) from April 27-May 3. His 19 helpers this season top his total from a year ago when he recorded 16 helpers in 68 games.