Stars Defeat Blackhawks in Lopsided Matchup

Dallas continues hot streak, while Chicago struggles amid trade deadline moves

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Dallas Stars defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 in a one-sided affair on Sunday. The Stars, who had their 10-game winning streak snapped in a shootout loss to the Avalanche, bounced back with a dominant performance against the struggling Blackhawks. Chicago, near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, has now lost 10 of their last 12 games.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the Stars, who are firmly in playoff position and considered a Stanley Cup contender, and the Blackhawks, who are in rebuilding mode after trading away several key assets at the trade deadline. The lopsided result underscores Dallas' status as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, while Chicago's woes continue as they look to the future.

The details

The Stars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back, outshooting the Blackhawks 35-25. Dallas got goals from Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, and Miro Heiskanen, while Chicago's tallies came from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The Stars' recent acquisitions, including Vladislav Namestnikov and Max Domi, made an immediate impact and helped fuel the victory.

  • The Stars' 10-game winning streak was snapped in a shootout loss to the Avalanche on March 6.
  • The Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 12 games, including a 6-3 defeat against the Canucks on March 7.

The players

Dallas Stars

A Stanley Cup contender in the Western Conference, currently in a strong playoff position.

Chicago Blackhawks

A team near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, in rebuilding mode after trading away several key players at the trade deadline.

Jason Robertson

A young star forward for the Dallas Stars who scored a goal in the game.

Vladislav Namestnikov

A recent trade acquisition for the Dallas Stars who made an immediate impact in the victory.

Patrick Kane

A veteran forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who scored one of their two goals in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but the guys really stepped up and played a complete game. Our recent acquisitions have been a big boost, and we're hitting our stride at the right time.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Dallas Stars (Dallas Morning News)

“It's been a tough stretch, but we're going to keep battling. We have a lot of young talent, and this is a chance for them to get valuable experience as we look to the future.”

— Jonathan Toews, Captain, Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Stars will look to continue their strong play as they push for a top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, while the Blackhawks will aim to develop their young talent and build towards next season.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between a Stanley Cup contender in the Stars and a rebuilding team in the Blackhawks. Dallas' recent acquisitions have bolstered an already formidable roster, while Chicago's trade deadline moves signal a shift towards the future. The lopsided result underscores the Stars' status as one of the NHL's elite teams.