(Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars and their fans will get a first look at Brad Richards tonight, as the newly-acquired forward makes his team debut when the Stars welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to American Airlines Center.

Dallas received Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist from Tampa Bay before Tuesday's deadline and sent goaltender Mike Smith, forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern and a fourth-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to the Lightning.

Richards, the MVP of the postseason during the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup championship run, has 18 goals and 33 assists this year. After this season, Richards will still have three years remaining on a five-year, $39 million deal he signed with Tampa after the 2005-06 campaign.

It's still uncertain whether Stars head coach Dave Tippett plans to use Richards on the wing or at center tonight.

The Stars have won three straight, five of six and 12 of their last 14 games. They are first in the Pacific Division with 85 points and five points behind Detroit for the Western Conference lead.

Dallas earned its latest victory just hours after landing Richards on Tuesday. Loui Eriksson scored two goals as the visiting Stars notched a 3-1 decision over the St. Louis Blues.

Jere Lehtinen also tallied for the Stars, who have gone 15-4-0 in their last 19 games. Mike Ribeiro collected two assists and Marty Turco stopped 27-of-28 shots to earn his 28th win of the season.

Tonight's test marks the opener of a three-game homestand for the Stars, who are 20-10-2 as the host this year and have won five of six and eight of their last 11 in Big D.

The Blackhawks have won six of their last eight games and are coming off Wednesday's close victory over visiting Phoenix. Patrick Lalime made 32 saves to record his first shutout of the season and 35th of his career as Chicago blanked the Coyotes, 1-0, at the United Center.

Jason Williams tallied the lone goal for the Blackhawks. Andrew Ladd, who came over from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Tuomo Ruutu at the trade deadline, registered five shots in his Chicago debut.

Chicago is 14-14-5 as the visitors this year and has dropped seven of its last 11 away games.

The Blackhawks are 2-1 against the Stars this year and have taken four of the last six encounters between the clubs. Dallas, however, is 9-1 with a tie in its last 11 home contests against Chicago.