Free NHL Picks Today: Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks 2/22/23

Two teams trending in opposite directions battle at American Airlines Center on Wednesday as the Chicago Blackhawks (+330) will be out to build on their winning streak when they are on the road to face the stumbling Dallas Stars (-430).

The total is 6 (O: -110, U: -110)Chicago (19-32-5) is playing their first of four games on the road with the second of a back-to-back after earning a 3-2 shootout win over the Golden Knights yesterday, their third win in a row.

The Blackhawks committed only two penalties in the game, holding Vegas without a power play goal. Tyler Johnson and Cole Guttman both scored once for the Blackhawks. Johnson added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Petr Mrazek had a great performance with 34 saves (.944%) in the win.

Dallas (30-15-12) dropped their fourth in a row, falling 4-1 to the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Ty Dellandrea netted the only goal for the Stars. Scott Wedgewood saved 33 of 36 shots in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Stars won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 6-4 victory in November, their fifth straight win against Chicago. Jason Robertson (2G 0A), Jamie Benn (1G 1A), and Jani Hakanpaa (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Dallas. Max Domi led Chicago with two points (1G 1A). Jake Oettinger got the win despite allowing four goals on 31 shots (.870%).

FACING OFF

Chicago is averaging just 2.46 goals per game for the season, 31st in the NHL. The visitors will face a difficult challenge against a Stars team that is allowing only 2.54 goals a game (2nd).

Meanwhile, Dallas has found the net 3.21 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.59 goals per game (27th).

Chicago averages fewer shots/game (27.0) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 9.2% shooting percentage is 28th. Dallas has proven up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 3 with a team save percentage of .922%.

The Stars’ 22.94% power play percentage ranks 11th in the league, while the Blackhawks are 26th with a conversion rate of 17.18%. Dallas has been more adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.70%. Chicago ranks 21st at 76.36%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Domi and Patrick Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 43 and 42 points. In the net, Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.45 GAA and a .894% save percentage.

Mrazek (6-15-2) leads the Blackhawks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.95 and a save percentage of .885%.Robertson leads the Stars in scoring with 71 points (8th in the league).

He has 34 goals (7th in the league) and 37 assists. Oettinger (23-7-9) has the best goals against average for Dallas at 2.20, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .926%, second-best.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 7-16-2 away from home this season. Dallas has lost three straight at home this season. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are 0-9 without a day off and 0-5 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Stars are 2-3 with a rest advantage.