Sharp, Niemi Best Former Team

Well, the Chicago Blackhawks certainly didn't look like their usual Blackhawks going into the American Airlines Center, and it certainly didn't help that two of their former teammates were playing for the Stars.

This was Patrick Sharp's first regular-season game playing against the Blackhawks and he didn't disappoint. He scored 11 goals into the third period to give Dallas the 2-0 lead and Antti Niemi played a spectacular game in net, leading the Stars to a 4-0 win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

This meeting was the first of five between the likely Western Conference contenders. It featured the league's top three scorers in Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks and Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin of the Stars.

Said Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews of the loss: "They just grabbed the momentum and never let us get it back. I think we didn't do what we had to do to take it back, either."

That was true. Dallas has proven itself this season to take the lead and never let up. In fact, Dallas is becoming a big threat to the rest of the Western Conference because of that. They have proven scorers in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn to help them get it done. They also have the former Blackhawks in Patrick Sharp and Antti Niemi, who have proven they can win and be a factor in contributing to a team's win, and I think that's what the Stars needed this offseason and they have it, leading the Central Division and by some margin.

I don't think this loss hurts the Chicago Blackhawks, at least maybe not yet. The former Stars players wanted to stick it to their old team and I don't blame it. Stan Bowman decided he didn't want Patrick Sharp around anymore and he just wanted to show Bowman he can still be a factor, no matter where he plays. I'm sure Bowman is happy for Sharp playing well, just maybe not against his team. Either way, the Stars still lead the Central Division and that means if the Blackhawks are meant to play for the Stanley Cup this year, there's gonna have to keep winning because the Stars somehow manage to keep winning.