NHL Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars failed to get a grip of the first place in the Central Division after they stumbled badly and conceded a 1-5 defeat on Friday against the St. Louis Blues who instead ran away with the key for the top spot. Two days after getting trounced by the superiors, the Stars’ bounce back scheme will be tested when they host the ill-fated Chicago Blackhawks who are the last in the division. The visitors are coming off a 2-1 overtime win against Nashville but the victory turned out to be just their third in the last 10 games. That puts them at an even tougher spot to establish a winning momentum especially against Dallas who is a legitimate contender in the league.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are back on the road again after just two games in Chicago. They split their previous assignments at home, making up for the 3-6 setback against the Rangers on Wednesday with an escape win against the Predators on Friday. Their trip to Dallas will be the first of a four-game road trip, marking a rugged schedule that saw them play five straight games away from home during the second week of the month. The series of road games might take its toll on the Blackhawks, but they are left with no other option but to fight through the adversity as they aim to finish their season in a rather respectable way.

Dallas Stars

The loss to the Blues snapped a six-game point streak for the Stars. Not only did the beating deny them of the No. 1 spot in the Central, but it also left them at the trail with four points to cover before evening things up anew with St. Louis. The lopsided ending was a strange sight for the Stars as the first eight of their 10 games during this month all went down to the wire, leaving the rest of the team confused as to what really went wrong. But the chase is not just between the two teams as the Colorado Avalanche are also in the middle of pack jockeying for the coveted top place in the division.

Odds and Trends

The Blackhawks are +167 to win on the road according to the NHL Betting Odds while the Stars are favored at -192.

The Blackhawks are 11-4 in their last 15 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 1-5 in their last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

The Stars are 8-1 in their last 9 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game and Stars are 8-1 in their last 9 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Over is 13-3 in Blackhawks last 16 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game and 3-0-1 in Stars last 4 overall.

Under is 6-2-1 in Stars last 9 vs. Western Conference.

Prediction

Stars win, 3-2