Preview: Stars take on Blackhawks in home-and-home series

About the Stars

The Stars (13-10-1) won 3-0 at Vegas Tuesday behind a hat trick from center Radek Faksa and a 34-save shutout from goaltender Ben Bishop. After a scoreless first period, Faksa scored his three goals in a span of 6:46 during the second period. The final two goals came in eight seconds in the final minute of the period.  

"I am very happy for goals. I get very emotional when I score. But the most important thing is the team win," said Faksa, who recorded his first NHL hat trick. "I am glad we had a greasy win on the road. We needed it."

The win snapped a four-game road losing streak for the Stars who have won four of their past five games overall (4-1-0).

Thursday's game is the front end of a home-and-home series with Chicago. The Stars and Blackhawks, who play again Saturday in Dallas, both have 27 points and currently hold the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference.

The fathers of many of the Stars players are traveling with the team on this two-game road trip.

Injuries: D Marc Methot (knee) is on injured reserve.

About the Blackhawks

The Blackhawks (12-9-3) are coming off a 3-2 loss at Nashville Tuesday. The game was tied 1-1 after one period, but the Predators scored the lone goal of the second period and extended the lead to 3-1 early in the third.

"Great start," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters. "In that second period we slowed down a bit. We tried to come back, we were down two and got a couple of good looks there at the end. They're a good hockey team. You can't have a lull in the game, and you've got to keep the pace up."

The loss snapped a five-game points streak for Chicago which is 4-1-1 in its past six games.  

The Blackhawks placed forward Jordin Tootoo on waivers Wednesday.

Injuries: D Michal Rozsival (concussion) is on injured reserve.

Season Series

• This is the first of four meetings between the Stars and Blackhawks this season.

• The Stars were 0-3-2 vs. Chicago last season.

Statistical Tidbits

• The Stars are 4-8-1 on the road.

• The Stars haven't won consecutive road games since Oct. 27 at Calgary and Oct. 30 at Vancouver.

• The Blackhawks are 6-4-1 at home.

• The Stars are 1-6-0 vs. the Central Division.

• The Blackhawks are 2-5-0 vs. the Central Division.

• The Stars rank ninth in the league in goals against at 2.83 per game.

• The Blackhawks rank ninth in the league in goal scoring at 3.17 per game.

• The Blackhawks rank sixth in goals against at 2.63 per game.

• The Stars are tied for 14th in goal scoring at 2.92 per game.

• The Stars are 1-23 on the power play over their last seven games.

• The Blackhawks are 8-24 on the power play over their last seven games.

• Tyler Seguin leads the Stars with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists).

• Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks with 25 points (9 goals, 16 assists).

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter at @StarsInsideEdge.