Tuesday NHL: Stars (63 points) at Blackhawks (81 points)

After halting a three-game winless streak – their longest of the season – on Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Blues, the Chicago Blackhawks want to carry a little momentum into the Olympic Break that arrives at the end of this week. Chicago has three games this week to do so, beginning Tuesday at home against the Stars.

Chicago has opened as -220 money line favorites on WagerWeb.com’s NHL odds.

The Blackhawks have lost their last two games at home and scored three goals. Their last three games have been decided by one goal. And they haven’t been able to figure out Dallas, losing to the Stars 4-3 and 5-4 this season.

Chicago will turn to backup goalie Antti Niemi tonight. He was in the net when the Hawks ended their slide against the Blues, making 34 saves. In the only other time Niemi started back-to-back games, he was pulled after the first period after giving up three goals to the Vancouver Canucks.

One reason Niemi could be starting is the matchup on Tuesday is that starter Cristobal Huet has lost both starts to the Stars this season and was pulled in one those contests. Could this mean there’s a new No. 1 goalie in Chicago after the break? That remains to be seen.

The Stars, who enter off a nice 4-0 win over Phoenix, get a big piece back tonight. Center Mike Ribeiro has been active from injured reserve – he suffered a throat injury against New York Rangers on Jan. 6 and was placed on IR the following day. Ribeiro has missed 15 games since his injury against the Rangers. He has skated in 43 contests so far this season, collecting 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists).

Dallas goes into the Olympic break with a three-game road trip. The Stars are currently three points out of the final playoff spot out West. Goalie Marty Turco has been good of late, having allowed three total goals in the past three games on a total of 101 shots.

The Stars are 1-10-2 in their last 13 road games.

Bet on the NHL at WagerWeb.com

Bet on Sports at Bodog Sportsbook and cash in on your share of huge bonuses!

Popularity: unranked [?]

Subscribe to comments You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Post Tags:

Browse Timeline