Red-hot Stars get Klingberg, Hintz back vs. Blackhawks

The Dallas Stars welcomed back a pair of key contributors against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday while looking for their sixth consecutive victory.

Forward Roope Hintz and defenseman John Klingberg returned to the lineup after being sidelined with lower-body injuries since Nov. 2 and Nov. 5, respectively.

Hintz, 23, turned heads with his impressive play during the 2019 postseason and carried that momentum into his sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-3 Finn tallied a team-high nine goals and 11 points in 16 contests before the injury.

Klingberg has long been the Stars' anchor on the blue line. Despite contributing just one goal and four points through 17 games this season, the 27-year-old rearguard has led Stars defensemen in scoring during five straight campaigns, and he entered Saturday's contest averaging 23:36 of ice time in 2019-20.

After stumbling out of the gate this season to a 1-7-1 record, Dallas bounced back to win 12 of its next 14 contests.