Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 12/29/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Bally Sports Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+280) Stars (-360)

American Airlines Center is the location where the Dallas Stars (20-9-4) will attempt to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks (11-22-1) on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has the Blackhawks at +280 and the Stars are coming in at -360. The over/under is set at 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 2-1 victory over the Jets in their previous game. The Blackhawks had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the win. For the outing, they scored on 2 out of the 25 shots they tried. In addition, they had 2 power play chances but weren't able to make the most of them. Chicago earned 8 penalty minutes in this matchup.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

At even strength, the Blackhawks have surrendered 96 goals while earning 69 themselves. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have recorded 109 power play tries (13th in the league) and have racked up 27 goals in those attempts. In reference to their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have racked up 82 goals (30th in the NHL) this season and have allowed 123. Chicago has taken 905 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.1%. For the current campaign, they sit with 23 points and their points percentage is sitting at .338. The Blackhawks so far have had 1,118 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .890. Chicago has tallied 106 power play opportunities and they have notched 13 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 12.26%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Petr Mrazek. Over the course of his time in hockey, Mrazek has tallied 167 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .512. His save percentage currently is .907 during his 19,862 minutes on the ice. Mrazek has had 9,921 shots taken against him and has recorded 9,003 saves. Opponents have been able to score 918 goals against Mrazek in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.77. He has earned a mark of 159-135-34 and he was named the starter in 326 games. Mrazek has been in goal for 356 games throughout his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Dallas squared up with the Blues in an outing where the Stars went home in defeat by a score of 2-1. The Stars recorded 1 goal out of the 40 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 chances on the power play in this contest but weren't able to score a goal.

So far this season, the Dallas Stars are sitting with 113 goals, 44 points, in addition to a points percentage of .667. They have granted a total of 101 goals to be scored by way of 87 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Stars have scored 92 goals at even strength and 21 goals (17th in the league) while on the power play. They have recorded 97 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 21.65%. Dallas has put up 993 shots (24th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.38%, while allowing their opponents 1,012 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 86.92% on their oppositions 107 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 90.0%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Scott Wedgewood defending the goal. The opposition is averaging 3.02 goals per contest and he has relinquished 314 goals in total. Wedgewood's percentage of quality starts sits at 49.0% and he has earned 48 quality starting assignments in his career. He has made the start in 98 games and has played for a total of 6,236 minutes. Wedgewood has a career record of 41-43-19 and has been in goal for 111 games. He has tallied 3,079 stops out of the 3,393 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .907.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas (-360)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here