Preview: Struggling Blackhawks Face Surging Stars in Dallas DALLAS (Interstat) — A clash between teams at opposite ends of the NHL standings is set for Saturday when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. The Stars (25-13-0) enter as one of the league’s top teams, boasting a potent offense that has powered them to eight wins in their last 11 outings. Their most recent result was a 4-3 overtime loss at Detroit on Tuesday, a minor stumble in an otherwise dominant December. Conversely, the Blackhawks (13-23-0) are mired in a deep slump, having lost 10 of their last 12 games. They were defeated 3-1 by Philadelphia at home on Tuesday, extending a period of offensive futility where they have been shut out three times and scored one or fewer goals in seven of those 12 contests. A key matchup will feature two centers trending in opposite directions. Dallas’s Wyatt Johnston has been a driving force, recording five goals and seven assists over his last 10 games. His consistent production has been central to the Stars’ success. For Chicago, forward Ryan Donato has been a rare bright spot amid the team’s struggles. He scored the Blackhawks’ lone goal against Philadelphia, firing a team-high five shots on net. Over his last 10 games, Donato has two goals and an assist, often providing Chicago’s most consistent offensive pressure. The Stars have dominated at home with a 14-5-0 record, while the Blackhawks have struggled on the road at 6-13-0. The teams are set for a quick rematch on New Year’s Day in Chicago. Dallas will look to leverage its high-powered attack, which has averaged over four goals per game during its recent hot stretch, against a Chicago team that has been outscored 46-18 in its last 10 losses. The Stars won the first meeting of the season between the clubs, a 4-1 victory in Chicago on Nov. 15. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Saturday.