NHL Predictions: December 27th Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars

The Chicago Blackhawks come out of the holiday break and take on the Dallas Stars. Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey analyze the day’s games and provide in-depth analysis. We break down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might play out. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars

Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

How to Watch TV: ESPN+, CHSN, Victory+

Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars host the Connor Bedard-less Chicago Blackhawks in the first game back from the holiday break.

Blackhawks Looking to Find Footing After Holidays

The Blackhawks limp into the post-holiday stretch looking to get back on track. The team is dead last in the league standings and has won just once in its last nine games. Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and captain Nick Foligno continue to be on injured reserve, and the Hawks have felt the effects of their absences. In their most recent nine-game stretch, the Hawks averaged just 1.6 goals per game and surrendered four goals per game. However, Chicago is hoping to see more offensive production from their forward group, notably Tyler Bertuzzi. He and André Burakovsky are the top two point scorers outside of Bedard and Nazar. Additionally, Teuvo Teräväinen and Ilya Mikheyev have been tasked with stepping up. Mikheyev has three goals in his last five games.

Defensively, Artyom Levshunov‘s first full campaign has continued going well, despite the team’s struggles. He is up to 16 points and has spent most of his ice time with Matt Grzelcyk and Wyatt Kaiser, both of whom have filled in nicely on the back end. Additionally, Louis Crevier surprisingly sits only behind Levshunov in defensemen points for the Hawks and is tied with Kaiser for the defensive lead in goals with three. In the net, Spencer Knight is still the team’s starting goaltender. He has posted an .897 save percentage in his last six starts, owing to the team’s lack of goal scoring. His backup, Arvid Soderblom, has been dreadful in his last three starts. His save percentage is at .862. Coming out of the break, Knight will be back in the crease for the Hawks.

Stars Aiming to Catch Avs in Central Division

For as dominant as the Colorado Avalanche have been, the Stars have been almost as impressive. They sit second in the Central and league with 56 points and have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the NHL. Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston lead the charge for Dallas. They have 51, 45 and 42 points, respectively. Roope Hintz also has 12 goals and 31 points in 33 games. However, the loss of Tyler Seguin in early December has been a big one. While the club does have plenty of firepower, his presence is missed. Captain Jamie Benn also had points in five-straight games before the break and is looking to continue leading the Stars.

Defensively, Miro Heiskanen has 34 points in 38 games and continues to be one of the best defencemen in the league. Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley have also been mainstays in the Stars’ defensive group. However, Lian Bichsel has been out since early December and has been missed on the blue line. Alexander Petrovic and Ilya Lyubushkin have been able to step into his place in the meantime. Between the pipes, the duo of Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith have been one of the best pairs in the league. Oettinger has seen more starts and has posted a .910 save percentage. DeSmith has more than held his own, with a save percentage also north of .910. That said, Oettinger will be in the crease against Chicago.

NHL Prediction

The Hawks should come out with an inspired effort, but the Stars are going to prove too much to handle. Expect Dallas to win in a convincing effort.

Prediction: Stars win 4-1 

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