Stars Carry a Thin Forward Group Into the United Center
Chicago has won two straight and plays far better at home, while Dallas arrives with several forwards out of the lineup.
Written before the game
The records look close, but the underlying play does not. Dallas has been the sounder team, and Chicago has been giving up far more than it creates.
The gap shows up in the quality of chances allowed. The Blackhawks give up 3.67 expected goals a game (how many goals opponents' chances are worth), while the Stars allow 2.73. Chicago is also badly out-attempted, averaging 44 shot attempts for against 61.1 against. Dallas sits on the right side of that ledger, 55.9 to 53.9.
Chicago brings a two-game winning streak and a 3-1-0 home mark, with Connor Bedard back in the lineup. Dallas arrives without Matt Duchene, Oskar Bäck and Wyatt Johnston.
In the standings, Dallas (7 points, 11th in the West) and Chicago (6 points, 13th) are both chasing a wild-card spot.
