The United Center is playing host a divisional tilt as the Chicago Blackhawks take the ice against the visiting Dallas Stars. It’s the fourth and final time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Fox Sports Southwest Plus will air the game, and the puck drops at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 8.
Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Dallas (-125) is currently the favorite over Chicago (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 money on the over, +110 on the under).
Dallas is 31-23 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 29 of its matches have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Stars team is 12-14 SU on the road.
Dallas has converted on 20.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
Dallas, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game during the 2017-18 season, and 3.2 per game over its last five match ups. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Ben Bishop (22-19-3) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, Dallas could turn to Kari Lehtonen (10-7-1 record, .919 save percentage, 2.22 goals against average).
Alexander Radulov and John Klingberg will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Stars. Radulov (51 points) is up to 21 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 13 different games. Klingberg has six goals and 44 assists to his creditand has logged at least one point in 33 games.
Chicago is 24-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 28 of its outings have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 12-14 SU at home this season.
Chicago has converted on just 15.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
Chicago skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the top choice in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has recorded a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Patrick Kane (21 goals, 32 assists).
Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five games.
- Dallas has managed 30.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 35.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Stars are 13-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-12 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total.
- Dallas (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago fell short in its only shootout this season.
- Chicago has managed 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 7.6 takeaways per game (ranked 13th in the league).
- Dallas has allowed 2.6 goals per game overall this year, but is allowing only 1.0 per contest in their last three games (the team’s a perfect 3-0 SU over that span).
- Dallas is ranked 28th in the NHL with 5.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has averaged 4.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 3.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Dallas could hold an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 11-7 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is 8-13 in such games.
