Blackhawks vs Stars Odds, Pick & Prediction (Feb 22)
The Chicago Blackhawks aim to win four in a row for the first time since October when they kick off a four-game road trip with a clash with the slumping Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. The Blackhawks recorded a 3-2 shootout victory over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights, and have twice mounted impressive comebacks during their current three-game surge. The Stars are on the rebound after being outplayed in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the bottom-feeding Columbus Blue Jackets, and have mustered just five total goals while losing four straight.
Start time is set for 9:30pm ET at American Airlines Center, with all the action televised on TNT and NBC Sports – Chicago.
The Stars’ recent struggles have not dampened their position in the Wednesday NHL odds, where they are perched as lofty -420 favorites. The Blackhawks trail as distant +310 underdogs while the total is pegged at 6.0, with the UNDER slightly favored as a -115 bet.
Blackhawks vs Stars Odds
The Stars are -420 favorites in the NHL odds, meaning they have 80.7% implied win probability.
Odds as of February 22nd at BetMGMSportsbook.
Blackhawks vs Stars Recent History
Wednesday night’s matchup marks the second of four regular-season meetings between these Central Division rivals. The Stars have dominated in recent dates with Chicago, winning five straight, capped by 6-4 victory on home ice back on November 23.
That marked the second straight game in which these clubs combined to score 10 total goals, and extended a steady run for the OVER, which has gone 9-1 over their past 10 matchups.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Outlook
The Blackhawks have demonstrated plenty of character while claiming victory over formidable opponents during their current three-game tear. The club turned in impressive comeback performances in both Tuesday’s shootout win over Vegas and their 4-3 overtime victory in Ottawa last Friday, and were undaunted after blowing an early lead in their stunning 5-3 upset win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night.
Overall, the Blackhawks have averaged four goals per game during their current win streak after getting outscored by a wide 13-3 margin while losing each of their previous three contests. Patrick Kane has led the charge, scoring five times and adding two helpers during that stretch. The club has also received steady performances from netminders Petr Mrazek and Jaxson Stauber, who have combined to stop 94 of 102 shots faced over the past three games.
However, Chicago has wilted when playing in the second game of contests played on back-to-back nights, going 0-6 SU this season while getting outscored by a wide 19-5 overall margin in those contests.
Dallas Stars Betting Outlook
The Stars have had three days off, and are hoping the break has provided them with ample opportunity to rediscover their scoring touch. Losers of four straight, and seven of nine overall, the Stars have been limited to two or fewer goals in each of their seven recent defeats. However, their continued stingy defensive play has not only generated a boon for sports bettors taking the UNDER, which has paid out in each of their past 11 outings. It also bodes well as they prepare to face a Blackhawks squad that has endured a busy recent schedule.
While the club’s top guns have struggled to produce, including Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski, who have combined to score just one goal over the past seven games, the supporting cast has failed to pick up the slack. The lone exception has been veteran Jamie Benn, who has scored three times over his past five outings.
However, the goaltending tandem of Jake Oettinger and Scott Wedgewood has given this team a chance to win every night, surrendering just 11 total goals over the past four games despite facing an average of 34 shots per game over that stretch.
Blackhawks vs Stars Prediction
While the Blackhawks have consistently risen to the occasion during their win streak, maintaining that momentum in their third game in four nights against the defensive-minded Stars may be too much to ask.
Well-rested and enjoying good health, the Stars have had plenty of time to focus on fundamentals. Accordingly, Wednesday’s visit from the Blackhawks should serve as a tonic for a Dallas squad desperate for a win to bolster their grasp on first place in the Central.
The Pick: Stars -1.5 (-159); OVER 6.0 (-106)
