Dallas Stars Favorited to Dominate Chicago Blackhawks in Central Division Clash

The Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks are set to face off in a Central Division matchup at the United Center on November 27, 2024. The Stars, with a 13-7 record, are looking to bounce back from a 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Blackhawks, struggling at 7-12-2, aim to recover from a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Dallas has been one of the top teams in the league, boasting the best defense with only 50 goals allowed and ranking 10th in goals scored with 69. Matt Duchene leads the Stars with 11 goals and 14 assists, and Jason Robertson has contributed with 12 points. The team’s power play, although struggling at 16.1%, is complemented by an impressive 82.8% penalty kill. Goalie Jake Oettinger has a .912 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average, anchoring the team’s strong defensive performance.

Chicago, on the other hand, has had a challenging season, ranking last in goals scored with 49. Connor Bedard has been a bright spot with 12 points, and Ryan Donato has scored 8 goals. The Blackhawks’ power play is slightly better at 20.8%, but their penalty kill is less effective at 78.7%. Petr Mrazek has a .912 save percentage and a 2.68 goals-against average, but faces consistent pressure due to Chicago’s defensive lapses.

The Stars have dominated the season series against the Blackhawks, winning the last two meetings 4-2 and 3-1. Historically, Dallas has a strong record against Chicago, with an 11-2-0 record since the 2021-22 season, outscoring the Blackhawks 53-30 in those games. The Stars are favored to win, with odds of -250, reflecting their strong performance this season.

Key players to watch include Matt Duchene for the Stars, who has 47 points in 57 career games against Chicago, and Connor Bedard for the Blackhawks, who is back playing with skilled forwards like Hall and Kurashev. Alex Vlasic has also stepped up for Chicago in the absence of Seth Jones, becoming a top shutdown defenseman.

The game is crucial for both teams, especially for the Blackhawks, who are outside the playoff picture and face the statistical challenge that few teams in such a position at Thanksgiving go on to make the playoffs.