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Stars vs Blackhawks Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 1, 2026
Dallas heads to the United Center on Thursday night, January 1, with puck drop set for 8:30 PM on ESPN+. The Stars are 25-8-7 and sitting near the top of the Central, while Chicago is 14-19-7 and trying to stop the bleeding in the division race.
This is a classic spot where the market wants you to pay a premium for the better team, but the puck line and total offer the real decisions. Dallas is priced like the side that should control most of the game. The question is whether they finish clean enough to cover -1.5, and whether Chicago’s offense can do enough to push this total off 6.
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should monitor updated NHL odds for any movement tied to goalie confirmations and late lineup news.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | -193 | -1.5 (+131) | O 6.0 (+101) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +158 | +1.5 (-162) | U 6.0 (-124) |
Dallas Stars Betting Form
The Stars are coming off a 4-1 loss to Buffalo, and that is usually the kind of game you want to see from a contender right before a matchup like this. Not the result, but the response potential. Dallas generated looks, Jason Robertson was firing pucks, and you typically get a sharper, simpler game from them next time out.
Dallas’ season profile is still elite in the areas that matter for handicapping. They create offense, they finish at a high rate, and they can stack lines that pressure you for 60 minutes. When you’re laying -193, you’re basically betting that Chicago won’t be able to match Dallas’ top-end shot quality, and that the Stars will spend more time in the offensive zone than defending.
For recent results and team splits, use the Dallas Stars team page. Before you place anything, confirm availability on the linked Dallas Stars injury report, because missing a key center or a defense rotation piece can change both puck possession and special teams usage.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s recent results have been rough, but the details matter. They lost 3-2 to the Islanders and played a physical game with blocks and hits, which is usually the shape they need against a stronger opponent. They’re not going to out-skill Dallas for long stretches, so their chance comes from staying inside structure, winning a few special teams moments, and keeping the game within a goal into the third period.
The Blackhawks’ power play is the one area that can flip a matchup quickly. If Chicago draws penalties and converts, it buys them scoreboard breathing room and forces Dallas to chase. The problem is that Chicago has also been dealing with key absences, and that tends to show up in their ability to generate consistent 5v5 offense.
For home splits and recent form, check the Chicago Blackhawks team page. Make sure you verify roster status on the linked Chicago Blackhawks injury report before betting Chicago in any market, because missing top-end creators makes it hard to cash either the moneyline or the over.
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks Matchup Breakdown
At 5v5, Dallas should control the game if they keep the forecheck honest and avoid careless neutral-zone turnovers. Chicago’s best defensive stretches come when they turn games into dump-and-chase hockey and force opponents to take a lot of outside shots. Dallas is good enough to beat that, but the reason the puck line is tricky is that “good enough” does not always mean “win by two.”
Special teams matter here for both the puck line and the total. If Chicago’s power play shows up early, it can keep the Blackhawks +1.5 alive even if Dallas is clearly the better team. If the game stays mostly at even strength, Dallas’ depth and finishing edge become more likely to create the separation you need to cover -1.5.
Goaltending is the other swing point, and it’s the one thing you should not assume until starters are confirmed. If Dallas goes with its stronger option and gets steady saves, Chicago’s scoring ceiling drops, and that makes the under more appealing. If Chicago’s goalie stands on his head for 30 minutes, it can push you toward a Stars regulation angle instead of laying -1.5. If you want a framework for pricing these differences, the NHL betting guide is worth using before you commit to a heavy favorite.
Dallas–Chicago is a spot where the better team can control play and still make puck line bettors sweat, which is exactly why I like using outdoor-game logic as a sanity check. When conditions or game state compress scoring, laying -1.5 often becomes more fragile than it looks, even if the favorite is clearly superior. The more you expect a structured, low-event game, the more value tends to shift toward moneyline or regulation angles instead of a two-goal margin. If you want a quick refresher on how totals, pace, and game script interact when scoring is less predictable, the NHL Winter Classic odds and predictions article is a useful lens.
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Dallas moneyline (-193) as the safest way to back the better team. Dallas has the edge in offensive creation, top-end finishers, and overall structure. Chicago can compete physically and hang around, but over 60 minutes the Stars are the side more likely to create the extra goal.
For the total, I lean under 6.0. The projected 4-2 type of script is real, but 6 is a key number, and the juice is telling you the market expects a lower-event game more often than not. If Dallas is controlling play and Chicago is struggling to create at 5v5, you can land on 4-1, 4-0, or 3-2 a lot. The under does carry risk if special teams get loud, so the cleanest under angle is tied to a disciplined game and confirmed goaltending.
If you want the plus-money shot, Stars -1.5 (+131) is playable only if you believe Chicago’s injuries cap their scoring to one or two goals and Dallas plays a full 60. I just prefer getting paid on the win and not needing the empty-net sequence.
Best Bet: Stars Moneyline (-193)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For more NHL edges across the slate, start with the daily NHL picks page and use the NHL previews hub when you want quick matchup context and line notes.
If you’re following proven records, the best handicappers page is the best entry point, with the leaderboard showing current form. If you want packaged plays, you can browse options on buy picks.
