![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/78d4aab\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4015x2677+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fec%2F73%2F198a8b0b4e90ab223fb1c0ded2ca%2F2187236229.jpg\")
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Taylor Hall\u2019s hat trick carried the Blackhawks past the Stars.Luke Hales\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
After weeks of starving for goals, the Blackhawks finally feasted at a fitting time Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Taylor Hall recorded his first hat trick in more than a decade, Connor Bedard snapped his 12-game goal drought and Louis Crevier buried his first career NHL goal as the Hawks demolished the Stars 6-2 on the night before Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n
The Hawks\u2019 offensive struggles have been caused by a variety of factors, most within their control, and they can only hope that Wednesday\u2019s explosion helps them build enough confidence to begin fixing and overcoming some of those issues moving forward. It will be a lengthy process.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/media.d3.nhle.com\/image\/private\/t_ratio16_9-size30\/f_auto\/prd\/kf9xngauheacqjaeeicl.jpg\")
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But bad luck has also been a factor: Opposing goalies had posted an otherworldly .935 save percentage against them over the last three weeks. That trend wasn\u2019t going to continue forever, and Stars backup Casey DeSmith \u2014 making just his second start since Nov. 3 \u2014 singlehandedly destroyed it Wednesday.<\/p>\n
DeSmith allowed an innocent shot by Hall just 17 seconds into the first period to slide through him, and things didn\u2019t get any better after that. A lively holiday crowd of 19,144 at the United Center got to celebrate frequently throughout the night.<\/p>\n
Bedard\u2019s snipe into the top corner on a power play early in the second period was followed by an expression of immense relief. Teuvo Teravainen, who had scored just twice in his last 18 games, joined the party shortly thereafter. Hall, who had scored just twice in 20 total games this season, extended the lead to 5-1 with his first three-goal outburst since 2013 with the Oilers.<\/p>\n
Calm Martinez<\/b><\/p>\n
Young defenseman Alex Vlasic has taken over the bulk of Seth Jones\u2019 responsibilities with the Blackhawks, but veteran Alec Martinez\u2019s timely return from injury right before Jones exited has also helped.<\/p>\n
![\"GALLERY:](\"https:\/\/media.d3.nhle.com\/image\/private\/t_ratio16_9-size60-c_pad\/prd\/kxjlrtyq4lopqwnmuezf.png\")
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Martinez, who made his 10th appearance of the season Wednesday, has nonetheless felt some rust since returning to the lineup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve felt a little bit better as it has gone on, but little plays are the last thing to come \u2014 little dinks and plays in the \u2018D’-zone,\u201d he said Monday. \u201cThe little plays [are] often the difference between getting the puck out and not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coach Luke Richardson offered a more positive appraisal of Martinez\u2019s play.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just calmness,\u201d Richardson said Wednesday. \u201cHe\u2019s got some composure [when] breaking pucks out. And sometimes it\u2019s under duress, taking hits and still staying in the play and making a play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Off side<\/b><\/p>\n
Making matters more challenging for Martinez is the fact he\u2019s currently playing the right side, his off side as a left-handed shot. That\u2019s because the Hawks have only two healthy right-handed defensemen on the roster right now: Connor Murphy and Crevier.<\/p>\n
![\"Blackhawks](\"https:\/\/www.bleachernation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Bedard-Hall_USATSI_24865621.jpg\")
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Martinez estimated it has been about six years since he last regularly played the right side back in his Kings tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s certain areas of the ice where it\u2019s nice, and there\u2019s other areas where it\u2019s just not,\u201d he said. \u201cIt takes a little bit extra [thought]. Often when you\u2019re opening for a pass in the neutral zone or in the \u2018D’-zone, the forecheck is in your blind spot, so you have to do a lot of head checks, taking pictures all the time. And then stick position is big, too, on rushes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Notes<\/b><\/p>\n Hall scored three times, Connor Bedard snapped his long goal drought and the Hawks exploded for a 6-2 victory Wednesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4656,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,10,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chicago-blackhawks","category-nfl","category-san-francisco-49ers"],"yoast_head":"\n\n