The Chicago Blackhawks have a tough night ahead of them, as they face Central Division competition with the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center.

Tonight, both teams have already exchanged penalties early in the game, and one of them was a result of Matt Dumba.

Dumba would flatten Blackhawks Center Jason Dickinson on the ice, as Matt Dumba was called for interference on Dickinson.

The penalty happened at 5:24 into the 1st period of regulation play.

 

Do you think the point of contact was Dickinson’s head or chest?

From here it looks like Dumba was reckless and was aiming for Dickinsons’ head. The play would give the Blackhawks their first power play, which they wouldn’t be able to convert on against the Dallas Stars goalie, Jake Oettinger tonight.

Dumba is a defenseman who is in the latter stages of his career and has benefitted from signing with the Dallas Stars, after playing with the Arizona Coyotes, and Tampa Bay Lightning after spending the majority of his career with the Minnesota Wild.

Stars defenseman Matt Dumba leaves game vs. Islanders early with lower-body injury

The 29-year-old blueliner averaged 19:44 time on ice and finished tied for 11th among NHL defensemen with a career-best 202 hits during the 2023-24 campaign

Dumba’s story is similar to another defenseman’s story in New York, just hired to act on ice as muscle, as his offensive abilities decline.

Something typical of many veterans in the NHL, including the Blackhawk’s own Pat Maroon, who more or less is an enforcer.

No disagreement, that the role is needed in limited servings on ice, but most teams try to roll four offensive lines on the ice.

The hit on Dickinson was another explosive hit we see more, and more except this time Maroon would fail to retaliate on Dumba.