Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars: Dallas's 1.71 goals against rate jumps off the page — our tips

Dallas Stars' defensive wall jumps off the page, allowing an average of just 1.71 goals per game this season compared to Chicago's 4.14 goals against per game. That represents a massive stat edge heading into this Western Conference Central Division clash at United Center on Sunday, 18 October at 10:00 am AEDT.

Both sides enter Sunday morning's fixture coming off last-start victories. Chicago Blackhawks secured a tight 4–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets on home ice on Friday, 16 October, marking their second straight win at United Center. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars produced a gritty 3–2 road win against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, 15 October, bouncing back from a narrow home loss.

Who Will Win?

The numbers say Dallas Stars hold a distinct structural advantage across the board. Sitting 17th on the NHL ladder with a 3-3-1 record and seven competition points from seven games, Dallas has built its foundation on elite defensive structure and shot stopping. The Stars boast an outstanding .926 save percentage and an 87.5% penalty kill efficiency, alongside a 50.8% Corsi rating that demonstrates strong puck control. On the offensive side, Mikko Rantanen leads the team with two goals and five assists, supported by Miro Heiskanen with three goals and three assists, and Jason Robertson with two goals and three assists.

Chicago Blackhawks enter the contest sitting 26th overall and 8th in the Central Division with a 2-5-0 record (four points). While their overall season stats reflect early defensive challenges with 29 goals conceded in seven games, their home split at United Center paints a much stronger picture. Chicago has recorded three wins from four home fixtures, scoring an average of 3.8 goals per game in front of their home crowd. Up front, Anton Frondell leads their scoring list with one goal and five assists, alongside Teuvo Teräväinen (two goals, three assists) and Tyler Bertuzzi (two goals, two assists). However, Chicago's 75% penalty kill rate and 42.7% Corsi percentage leave vulnerable areas that high-calibre opponents can exploit.

For sports fans searching for expert nhl picks, Dallas's ability to limit opponent scoring and control match tempo gives them a notable edge here. The head-to-head board lists Dallas Stars as 1.55 away favourites, with Chicago Blackhawks available at 2.45 on home ice. While Chicago's scoring average of 3.8 goals at home is a big tick, Dallas's defensive discipline (1.71 goals against per game) and superior save percentage make the visitors rate a real chance to claim victory on the road.