Roope Hintz emerged as the hero for the Dallas Stars, securing a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center on Friday. Hintz completed his hat trick with a decisive goal in the final seconds of overtime, adding to his impressive tally of two assists. Tyler Johnson’s power-play goal late in the third period had tied the game for Chicago, setting the stage for an intense finish.
Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn also contributed to the Stars’ victory, each scoring a goal and providing an assist, while Jason Robertson added two assists. Goalie Scott Wedgewood saved 25 shots for Dallas (21-9-4), who have now won six of their last eight games.
Chicago (11-22-2), despite the loss, showed resilience, especially after being down by two goals in the first period. Johnson scored twice for the Blackhawks, and Jason Dickinson and Cole Guttman each added a goal and an assist. Goaltender Petr Mrazek made 30 saves.
Hintz’s impact was immediate, as he scored a power-play goal in the first period, kickstarting the Stars’ comeback. Pavelski’s deflection and another quick goal by Hintz in the second period kept the momentum with Dallas. Benn’s third-period goal extended the Stars’ lead before Chicago rallied to tie the game, leading to Hintz’s overtime heroics.
Johnson’s performance for the Blackhawks was notable, scoring the first goal of the game and the critical equalizer in the third period. His efforts, combined with those of Dickinson and Guttman, kept Chicago competitive throughout the match.
Dallas coach Peter DeBoer praised his team for their resilience and composure, especially after falling behind early in the game. Chicago coach Luke Richardson acknowledged the Blackhawks’ strong start but cited a defensive retreat in the second period that ultimately led to their defeat.
In the end, it was Hintz’s outstanding play that clinched the win for the Stars, demonstrating their ability to mount comebacks and solidifying their strong position in recent games. For the Blackhawks, the narrow loss highlighted their potential but also underlined areas needing improvement.
