By Greg Dempson
Dallas +122 vs Chicago -135 Total 5.5
The puck drops at 8:35 ET at the United Center as the BlackHawks, (who have lost five out of their last ix games,) host the Stars.
Chicago starts Scott Darling in goal for a fourth consecutive start as Crawford is still injured. Darling has allowed 6 goals in those three starts. In two relief appearances vs. Dallas Darling has stopped 24 of 25 shots. At home this season Darling has a save percentage of 94.7% going 1–3–3 to the under.
Kari Lehtonen’s between the pipes for Dallas and I note his save percentage this season is highest when facing a division foe, (92.4%.)
Ice–Chips
· In a game that has “over” implications, I am going contrarian based on some solid statistics. Monday is usually an off night for the majority of teams, Chicago is 4–15 under at home on Tuesday night’s the past two seasons.
· Dallas has killed off 18 out of 19 penalties in their last eight games.
· The BlackHawks are 0 for 17 on the power play in their last five contests.
· Dallas will be without their second leading scorer, (33 goals,) as Seguin’s out three to four weeks after surgery to repair a small cut of his left Achilles tendon.
Dallas vs Chicago NHL Pick
My Every Edge NHL total this evening is to take Dallas and Chicago to stay under 5.5 goals – 115.