The Dallas Stars (22-18-14) play the first of a two-game set on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks (23-25-6) Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at United Center. Below, we analyze the Stars-Blackhawks odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Stars picked up an impressive 5-2 road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, snapping a five-game slide. The Over has connected in three straight for Dallas, and the Over is 10-4-4 in the past 18 overall for the Stars.
The Blackhawks slapped the brakes on a six-game losing skid with a 2-1 overtime victory in Carolina over the Central Division champion Hurricanes last time out Thursday.
Stars at Blackhawks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Stars -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Blackhawks +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread/ATS: Stars -1.5 (+145) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Stars at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Anton Khudobin (12-10-7, 2.49 GAA, .907 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Kevin Lankinen (16-14-5, 3.04 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO)
Khudobin was the backstop Friday in Tampa, allowing two goals on 27 shots to stop a three-game losing streak. He is 2-1-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .913 SV% in three starts against the Blackhawks this season.
Lankinen has hit the wall after an amazing season, dropping five starts in a row. He has posted a solid 3-1-0 record with a 2.48 GAA and .921 SV% in four starts this season against the Stars.
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Stars at Blackhawks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Stars 4, Blackhawks 2
Money line (ML)
The STARS (-165) are a good play on the road in their penultimate game of the regular season.
There will be no repeat run to the Stanley Cup Finals this season, but they will finish up on a high note in the Windy City in the final two games.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The STARS -1.5 (+145) are worth a small-unit play at plus-money, mainly because Lankinen has really hit the wall and is struggling down the stretch.
Dallas has cashed in six of the past seven games as a favorite, and they’re 6-1 in the past seven against teams with a losing overall record, too.
Over/Under (O/U)
O/U 6 is a little risky, as I expect the total to be right on the number. The lean would be to the Over, and playing the alternate line of OVER 5.5 (-125) won’t cost you a bunch, but could be a moneymaker.
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