Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars 17 October 2026 Prediction

Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars is an NHL regular-season matchup in Chicago. The Blackhawks have won two straight after a poor start, while the Stars have yet to meet expectations. Their recent head-to-head games have been high-scoring.

Chicago's Recent Results

Chicago lost five of its first six games. The Blackhawks have since beaten the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 and the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime, both at home. Defenseman Artyom Levshunov scored his first NHL overtime goal against Winnipeg.

Those wins lifted Chicago off the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but problems remain. The Blackhawks allow opponents to generate 3.82 expected goals per game, the highest mark in the league. Manager Jeff Blashill's team has converted just 15% of its power-play opportunities, the seventh-lowest rate in the NHL.

Chicago Predicted Lineup: Knight (Soderblom) — Del Mastro, Levshunov — Kantserov, Bedard, Kane

Full Roster: Defensemen — Vlasic, Cole, Kaiser, Rinzel; forwards — Bertuzzi, Frondell, Teravainen, Donato, Nazar, Moore, Smith, Greene, Greenway

Unavailable: Mangiapane (injured); Byram (questionable)

Manager: Jeff Blashill

Dallas's Recent Results

Dallas lost four of its first six games. The Stars earned their third win of the season in their most recent outing, beating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in a road shootout. Dallas scored shorthanded but failed to convert on the power play.

The Stars have converted 12.5% of their power-play opportunities, the fourth-lowest rate in the league. Their defense has been stronger: Dallas has allowed 13 goals, the fewest in the Western Conference. Manager Glen Gulutzan's team is still outside the conference's playoff spots.

Dallas Predicted Lineup: Oettinger (DeSmith) — Lindell, Heiskanen — Robertson, Hintz, Rantanen

Full Roster: Defensemen — Harley, Lundkvist, Bichsel, Myers; forwards — Seguin, Steel, Benn, Gritskovyan, Hyry, Ertel, Kiviranta, Faksa, Blackwell

Unavailable: Duchene, Beck (injured); Johnston (questionable)

Manager: Glen Gulutzan

Head-to-Head Results

All three meetings last season ended 4-3. Both games in Dallas went beyond regulation: the Stars lost the first in a shootout and won the second in overtime on a goal by Miro Heiskanen. Chicago won its home game in regulation.

Key Stats

Chicago has not won the second period in its last four games.

Dallas has not lost the first period in its last five games.

The Blackhawks generate 2.42 expected goals per game, the third-lowest mark in the league.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars Prediction: Dallas Stars to Win at 1.88

Main prediction: Dallas has the stronger roster and has won four of its last six road games, including its latest meeting with Chicago. The Blackhawks have lost five of eight games this season. The pick is Dallas Stars to win at 1.88. A 4-2 Dallas win is the correct-score pick.

Total goals prediction: Each of the last five head-to-head games has featured at least six goals. Seven of Chicago's eight games this season have also gone over five goals. The additional pick is over 5.5 goals at 1.80.