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10 observations: Blackhawks win in first game back with fans

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The Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars 4-2 on Sunday at the United Center.

Here are 10 observations from the win:

1. For the first time since March 11, 2020, the Blackhawks welcomed back fans to the United Center. It was a span of 426 days. The paid attendance was 3,820; all tickets made available to the public were sold, making it a sellout.

2. The Blackhawks dressed 20 players in this game; 10 of them were rookies. Four of those rookies were defensemen. The youth movement is in full swing.

3. The Stars led the first period in shot attempts (22-12), shots on goal (17-9) and scoring chances (14-10), according to Natural Stat Trick. But it was the Blackhawks that came away with a 3-1 lead through the opening 20 minutes. They scored three goals on nine shots, including a power-play tally.

4. Alex DeBrincat's sensational season continued on Sunday. He scored for the sixth straight game and hit the 30-goal mark for the second time in his NHL career. He also extended his point streak to seven games. What more can we say about No. 12?

5. On Tuesday in Carolina, MacKenzie Entwistle recorded the primary assist on Mike Hardman's first career NHL goal. Hardman returned the favor on Sunday for Entwistle, who scored his first in only his fourth game. Patrick Kane registered the secondary assist on both goals.

6. Speaking of Kane, he hit the 50-assist mark for the seventh time in his NHL career. That ties Doug Weight for the most by an American-born player in league history. Ho-hum.

7. Kevin Lankinen made his 37th and final start of the season and was terrific. He stopped 37 of 39 shots for a save percentage of .949. It was the first time since April 6 that he allowed fewer than three goals in a start. A nice way to wrap up his rookie campaign.

8. Brandon Hagel registered a goal and assist and upped his point total to 24 on the season. That pulled him into a tie for No. 4 on the team before Pius Suter registered an assist on DeBrincat's second goal. Who would've predicted that at the beginning of the year?

9. The Blackhawks generated nine scoring chances off the rush, according to Sportlogiq. The Stars had zero.

10. Let's wrap up with a salute to the fans on Mother's Day:

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