Free NHL Picks Today: Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars 3/2/23

The Chicago Blackhawks (+185) welcome the Dallas Stars (-225) at United Center on Thursday. The total is 6 (O: -120, U: +100)Dallas (32-16-13) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-2 win over the Coyotes yesterday.

The Stars committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Tyler Seguin was the top goalscorer for the Stars with two goals. Jake Oettinger only saved 18 of 20 shots (.900%) in the win.Chicago (21-34-5) fell 4-1 to the Coyotes on Tuesday.

Andreas Athanasiou netted the lone goal for the Blackhawks. Alex Stalock saved only 29 of 33 shots against (.878%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 4-3 victory for the Blackhawks in February. Max Domi and Patrick Kane each had three points (2G 1A) to lead Chicago. Jamie Benn led Dallas with two points (1G 1A). Jaxson Stauber got the win, saving 29 of 32 shots (.906%).

FACING OFF

Dallas is averaging 3.21 goals per game for the season, 14th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.58 goals a game (26th).

Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net a league-worst 2.47 times a game on average and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Stars’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.59 goals per game (3rd).

Chicago averages fewer shots a game (27.0) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 9.3% shooting percentage is 28th. Dallas has been one of the league’s best shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 3 with a team save percentage of .920%.

The Stars’ 22.58% power play percentage ranks 11th in the league, while the Blackhawks are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.71%. Dallas has been equally impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fifth-highest PK% at 83.16%. Chicago ranks 21st at 76.57%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 74 points this season, Jason Robertson is the top skater for the Stars. He is among the league leaders with 35 goals (10th) and has added 39 assists. In the net, Oettinger (24-8-10) is Dallas’ top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 2.30 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .923% save percentage, fourth-best. Domi and Kane lead the Blackhawks in scoring with 49 and 45 points, respectively. Domi has 18 goals and 31 assists in 60 games, while Kane has 16 goals and 29 assists in 54 games.

Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 3.45. He has a save percentage of .894%. Petr Mrazek (8-16-2) has played the most games in net for the Blackhawks this season. He has a 3.83 GAA and a .890% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Dallas is 16-8-5 away from American Airlines Center this season. Chicago is looking for a fourth successive win at United Center this season. Meanwhile, the Stars are 2-4 without a day off and 1-4 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Blackhawks are 5-4 with a rest advantage.