Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 1/1/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: Chicago Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Stars (-152) Blackhawks (+126)

The Dallas Stars (25-7-7) are on their way to United Center on Thursday where they will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (14-18-6). The moneyline on this matchup has Dallas at -152 while Chicago is opening at +126. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Dallas Stars had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Blackhawks in their previous contest . The Stars had a middle of the road offensive outing in this game. In the game, they earned a goal on 3 of the 31 shots they put on goal. Furthermore, they had 4 attempts on the power play but weren't able to score. Dallas had 4 mins in the box in this outing.

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In terms of scoring goals, the Dallas Stars have racked up 136 goals (2nd in pro hockey) this year and have surrendered 102. For the season, they have 57 points and their points percentage is sitting at .731. Dallas is sitting with 121 power play opportunities and they have added 37 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 30.58%. When playing at even strength, the Stars have surrendered 81 goals while getting 99 themselves. Dallas has taken 984 shots and has a shooting percentage of 13.8%. The Stars have had 1,093 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .907. Dallas Stars opponents have amassed 123 power play tries (7th in hockey) and have racked up 21 goals in those chances.

The man in net for this game is Casey DeSmith. DeSmith has played in 204 games during his pro hockey career. He has amassed a win-loss record of 93-62-27 and he was named the starter in 180 games. Opponents have racked up 518 goals against DeSmith in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.88. DeSmith has had 5,779 shot attempts against him and has amassed 5,261 saves. His save percentage is .910 in his 10,105 minutes played. In his professional hockey career, DeSmith has recorded 99 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .550.

When they were on the ice last, Chicago faced off against the Penguins in a game where the Blackhawks went home in defeat by a mark of 7-3. They had 3 power play chances in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Blackhawks recorded 3 goals out of the 24 shots on goal they tried.

Chicago has taken 960 shots (29th in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 10.94%, while allowing the opposition 1,153 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 83.97% on their opponents 131 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.4%. They have a total of 108 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 19.44%. The Blackhawks have racked up 84 goals at even strength and 21 goals (18th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 122 goals to be scored by of a combination of 101 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the season, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 105 goals, 34 points, in addition to a points percentage of .447.

Across the ice you will find Spencer Knight in net. His opponents are averaging 2.87 goals per game and he has relinquished 319 goals overall. Knight's quality start percentage is 52.3% and he has accumulated 58 quality starts in his hockey career. He has started in 111 contests and has been on the ice for 5,099 mins. Knight has compiled a career record of 59-44-14 and has participated in 121 games. He is sitting with 3,048 saves out of the 3,367 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .905.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+126)

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