The wait is over. The Chicago Blackhawks are back on the ice tonight as they open up their 2011-12 regular season against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. On Thursday, head coach Joel Quenneville ruled out forwards Dave Bolland and Ben Smith the opener, so the 'Hawks recalled center Brandon Pirri from AHL affiliate Rockford.

Bolland has missed the past six days with an upper-body injury and Smith has practiced the last three days, but is still recovering from a concussion he suffered last week. Chicago hosts Dallas in the backend of a home-and-home set on Saturday at the United Center.