The Stars beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Thursday ... Will the Hawks take advantage of their light upcoming schedule — with only one game (Sunday against the Wild) in the next seven days — to return to their competitive ways next week against the Kraken ...

The Blackhawks were also the opponent the last time Dallas played at home before playing the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers twice in Finland last weekend. The Stars lost both games. Arvid Soderblom got his fourth start in goal for Chicago and stopped 37 shots.

The Chicago Blackhawks headed into Thursday night’s (Oct. 7) contest against the Dallas Stars coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings the night before.