The Stars long awaited this night, the one when John Klingberg returned to the lineup and the Dallas defense once again resembled the one it iced at the beginning of the season. They waited six weeks for Klingberg's broken hand to heal, and when Thursday rolled around, the visiting Blackhawks spoiled the party.
Last-place Chicago handed the Stars a 5-2 loss on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center, denying Dallas a chance to re-capture a playoff position in the Western Conference. The Stars have now lost four of their last five games.
The loss snapped a five-game home winning streak for Dallas, and a five-game road losing streak for Chicago.