Mikheyev scores twice as the Blackhawks beat the slumping Stars 4-3

CHICAGO (AP) — Ilya Mikheyev had two goals and the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Dallas Stars their fourth consecutive loss with a 4-3 victory Thursday night.

Teuvo Teravainen and Artyom Levshunov also scored as Chicago improved to 5-13-3 in its last 21 games. Spencer Knight made 22 saves.

The Blackhawks also beat the Stars 4-3 in a shootout at Dallas on Saturday night. The Stars had won seven of their last nine games at the United Center.

Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene scored for Dallas, which was coming off a 4-1 loss at Buffalo on Wednesday night. Jake Oettinger stopped 17 shots.

Teravainen's power-play goal gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead just 13 seconds into the second period. Andre Burakovsky set up Teravainen’s eighth of the season with a nice pass in front.

Mikheyev made it 3-1 when he drove to the net and beat Oettinger at 9:14. He scored again 3:58 into the third, squeezing in a shot from a tough angle.

Mikheyev has four goals in his last four games and eight on the season. He missed two games last weekend for the birth of his child.

Dallas pulled within one on late goals by Robertson and Duchene. Duchene has 23 goals and 30 assists in 61 career games against the Blackhawks.

Chicago jumped in front on Levshunov's second career goal. Following a scramble in front of the net, the 20-year-old defenseman converted a power-play wrist shot from the slot 11:48 into the first period.

Dallas responded with Rantanen's 16th goal on a nifty backhand with 5:18 left. Rantanen has three goals and 11 assists in his last eight games.

The Stars host the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. The Blackhawks visit the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, top, saves a shot by Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, right, is checked by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, left, shoots against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn, left, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Matt Grzelcyk battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight adjusts his helmet during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints leading receiver Chris Olave had to be hospitalized for treatment of blood clot in his lung, a person with knowledge of his health situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke with the AP on Thursday on condition of anonymity because it's a health matter.

Olave is expected to miss the club's regular-season finale at Atlanta on Sunday. The game is meaningless for the Saints and Falcons. However, if the Buccaneers beat the Panthers on Saturday, they would need New Orleans to beat or tie Atlanta to win the NFC South.

“He obviously is navigating that with our medical staff,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said after Thursday's practice without getting into specifics about the receiver's diagnosis. “Fortunate for Chris they were able to get ahead of this and identify something and make the necessary steps to build a plan moving forward.”

Olave caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in a victory last week at Tennessee, and has had the best season of his career.

Olave’s 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns are all career highs.

His success also has come one year after head injuries sidelined him for the last half of last season.

Olave has played in 16 games this season and as of earlier this week appeared on track to play 17 games in a season for the first time in his career. But he missed practice on Wednesday with what the team listed as an “illness.”

On Thursday, the severity of his ailment became more clear.

Still, he posted an upbeat message on social media from his hospital bed.

“Thank you God for everything!,” Olave wrote. “Life is full of unexpected twists and turns and I'm grateful to experience it.”

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave talks to reporters after an NFL football gameagainst the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) carries against Tennessee Titans cornerback Kaiir Elam (35) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)