Patrick Eaves scored three of Dallas' four goals in the first period, and the Stars avenged an ugly home loss to the Chicago Blackhawks with a 4-2 victory on Thursday night.

Eaves' second career hat trick helped Dallas to its fifth win in six games and moved the Stars within one of the Blackhawks for the most points in the Western Conference. Dallas' lone loss during the strong stretch was a 5-1 rout for visiting Chicago on Saturday night.

John Klingberg added a goal and an assist for Dallas. Kari Lehtonen made 19 of his 44 saves in the third period, including a point-blank stop on Andrew Shaw with Chicago threatening to pull within one with about eight minutes left.

>>2017 Draft To Be in Chicago

The 2017 NHL draft is coming to the home of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement at the United Center on Thursday. It is the first time hosting the draft for the Blackhawks, something Bettman said was a complete surprise to him.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said no public money will be used to finance the event, and it will have a huge economic impact on the city. He said it will be similar approach to the one for the NFL draft, which will be held in Chicago this year for the second straight year.

The 2016 NHL draft is in Buffalo from June 24-25.

The league says ticket distribution plans and other details for the draft will be announced later.