CHICAGO — In an impressive display, Taylor Hall netted his fifth career hat trick as the Chicago Blackhawks triumphed over the Dallas Stars with a score of 6-2 Wednesday night. This victory marks the Blackhawks’ second win in their last three games.
Hall set a dominant tone early in the game, scoring just 17 seconds in. His attempt grazed the stick of a defenseman before slipping beneath the glove of the Stars’ goaltender Casey DeSmith. From that moment onward, the Blackhawks capitalized on their chances, while the Stars struggled amid their second consecutive defeat.
Connor Bedard made an impactful contribution by scoring his first goal in 13 games, connecting with a wrist shot from the right circle. His reaction was one of pure relief as he looked towards the rafters after finally breaking the scoring drought.
Petr Mrazek was solid in goal for Chicago, stopping 25 shots which secured him his seventh victory of the season. The Dallas Stars managed to get on the scoreboard with goals from Colin Blackwell and Matt Duchene, but it was not enough to keep up with the Blackhawks’ offensive onslaught.
Analyzing the Stars’ performance, DeSmith, who entered the game with an impressive goals-against average of 2.22, faced a difficult night, allowing four goals on the first 14 shots he encountered. His defense offered little assistance, as Hall’s three goals came from rather close range and without much travel.
On the Blackhawks’ side, it was a refreshing change to see the team’s offense, which had struggled previously as the lowest-ranked in the league, finally click into gear. Out of the 18 skaters, a total of 12 contributed either goals or assists, including Louis Crevier, who scored his first NHL goal in just his second game.
A defining moment in the match came early in the second period when Teuvo Teravainen increased the Blackhawks’ lead to 4-0 just 3:06 into the frame. Notably, six out of the eight wins the Blackhawks have achieved this season have come from scoring at least four goals.
A significant statistic from the game illustrates Hall’s long wait; it had been 659 games since he last recorded a hat trick, which was his fourth. After achieving four hat tricks in his first four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, he had gone nearly a decade without accomplishing the feat while playing for teams such as the Devils, Coyotes, Sabres, Bruins, and now the Blackhawks.
Looking ahead, the Stars will be back in action at home, facing off against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are set to match up against the Minnesota Wild on the same day.