The Chicago Blackhawks (4-4-4) and Dallas Stars (5-2-1) take to the ice Sunday for the first of two meetings at American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks’ and Stars’ first meeting of the 2021 season is slated for a 3:08 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Blackhawks-Stars NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Blackhawks at Stars: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blackhawks +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Stars -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blackhawks +1.5 (-200) | Stars -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Blackhawks at Stars: Projected starting goalies
Kevin Lankinen (4-1-3, .928 SV%, 2.32 GAA) vs. Jake Oettinger (2-0-0-, .898 SV%, 2.42 GAA)
Lankinen may or may not be a long-term No. 1, but he’s certainly playing like one over the first few weeks of the season. The 25-year-old Finn is coming off a bit of a shaky effort (30 saves on 34 shots in a win over the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday), but he has a .931 SV% in even-strength play on the year and should still be pegged as a Chicago plus in wager considerations.
Oettinger made 23 stops in a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday. The 6-foot-5 22-year-old is making just his third career start.
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Blackhawks at Stars: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Blackhawks 3, Stars 2
Money line (ML)
The Stars own the more responsible defense, one yielding far few scoring chances than the ‘Hawks. Dallas has allowed just 2.50 goals per game (sixth NHL), and the Stars rate highly in expected goals allowed and being stingy in yielding scoring chances.
A resilient Blackhawks bunch is coming off an impressive showing against a strong Carolina squad (a 4-3 shootout loss and a 6-4 win), and Chicago has given some game efforts for 60 minutes in most of its games. They’ve been in many of those games due to Lankinen’s proficiency in keeping a lid on the ‘Hawks goal.
Dallas is the better team but Lankinen is likely the better netminder in this game and Chicago is tagged with the better price.
BACK THE BLACKHAWKS +135.
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS: The Under is likeable, but one would have to get a better number on Chicago to make that side worth an investment.
Over/Under (O/U)
Chicago’s power play has been dangerous (37.84%, third in NHL), but Dallas has an average penalty-killing unit and doesn’t get itself into many short-handed situations.
BACK THE UNDER 5.5 (+100).
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