Three Keys To Victory For the Chicago Blackhawks Tonight Against Dallas

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Carl Soderberg #34, Chicago Blackhawks Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

2 Stop taking so many penalties

The Blackhawks had 18 penalty minutes against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and 11 penalty minutes against Dallas. Giving up 10 plus minutes with a penalty is not a recipe for success. While there is a fight thrown in there, the Blackhawks took too many penalties, and they can not expect to win games when they are short-handed so often.

Chicago has given up five power-play goals in the past two games. That can be expected against Tampa Bay as they are the best team in the league, but giving up a power-play goal to the Stars really ended the game.

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Chicago was only down 2-1 in the second period when John Klingberg scored a power-play goal to give the Stars a 3-1 lead. The Blackhawks had momentum up until then in the second. The penalty was not a great one for the Blackhawks to take. It was a trip by Matthew Highmore, something that could have been avoided.

3 Get through the second period

The second period has been the Blackhawks kryptonite the past few days. The team has been outscored 7-2 in the second period. Usually, the Hawks go into the second on a high note and have a good few minutes of action before letting their game fall and the other team taking advantage.

For the Blackhawks to win tonight they can not afford to let up any goals during the second period. Playing a full 60 minutes is still something this team is struggling with, and it will be easier if they can at least play the first 40 minutes. Then in a close game going into the third period who wouldn’t try and attack a little harder to pick up two points.

Puck drop is at 7:30 tonight between the Stars and Blackhawks.

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