Lindell-CHI 2-8

STARS (31-19-4) at BLACKHAWKS (24-21-8)
8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, FS-SW+, NHL.TV

The Blackhawks, who have also lost five in a row at home (0-4-1), are last in the Central Division and seven points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Chicago has not missed the postseason since 2007-08 and won the Stanley Cup three times (2010, '13, '15) during that stretch.
The Stars are after their fourth consecutive victory. They are 4-0-1 in their past five road games after losing their previous three (0-2-1).

Players to watch

Stars forward Tyler Seguin has five points (three, two assists) in a three-game goal and point streak.
Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz has four points (two goals, two assists) in a three-game point streak and 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in his past 18 games.

They said it

"We've played them three times and they've played better and better every time. ... For us we know we have to play better than we played against them in our last game even though we won it. I anticipate this is going to be a playoff-style game and I hope our players are ready for it." -- Stars coach Ken Hitchcock
"They play a real structured team game, they play real hard and that's a great test. We're going to have to be good in how we compete and how we are in managing the puck, we've got to play with a purpose in all the zones. These guys keep the puck a lot and they play a hard, heavy game so that's going to be a good test in those areas." -- Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville

Stars projected lineup
Blackhawks projected lineup
Status report

Rutta did not participate in morning skate. He's out and considered day to day ... The Stars held an optional skate.

Stat pack

Kane is one assist shy of 500 for his NHL career. ... The Blackhawks have scored two goals or fewer in eight of their past 12 games. The Stars have held their opponents to two goals or fewer in three straight games and eight of their past 10.