Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Chicago Sports Network (CHSN – Blackhawks regional), Prime Video / Amazon (in some markets)
This is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the Central Division rivals. The Stars visit after a shootout win over Colorado, while the Blackhawks look to extend a recent home winning streak.
Current Rosters / Key Personnel
Stars: Mikko Rantanen (early points leader), Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, and goaltender Jake Oettinger (strong early numbers).
Blackhawks: Connor Bedard (productive against Dallas historically), Patrick Kane, Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, Teuvo Teravainen, and goaltender Spencer Knight (or Arvid Soderblom).
Injury Reports
Stars:
Matt Duchene (abdomen/core) — out long-term (surgery, ~3 months).
Oskar Back (upper body/finger) — out (placed on IR).
Wyatt Johnston (illness) — day-to-day (hoping to return Saturday).
Cameron Hughes (upper body) — out.
Blackhawks:
Andrew Mangiapane (lower body) — out.
Bowen Byram (upper body) — day-to-day.
Ryan Ellis (back) — out for the season.
Both teams are missing key forwards and (in Chicago’s case) defensive depth, impacting secondary scoring and blue-line stability.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Mikko Rantanen / Jason Robertson vs. Blackhawks defense: Dallas’s top scorers face a Chicago group that has been allowing shots and goals at a high rate.
Connor Bedard / Patrick Kane vs. Stars structure: Bedard has a strong recent history against Dallas (point streak noted). Kane has historically produced well versus the Stars.
Special teams: Stars have been solid on the penalty kill early; Blackhawks power play has been mixed and their PK has struggled.
Goaltending: Jake Oettinger (elite early SV% and low GAA) vs. Spencer Knight. This is a clear edge for Dallas.
Recent Team Forms
Stars: 3-3-1 overall. Coming off a 3-2 shootout win at Colorado. They have been stingy defensively (strong goals-against numbers) but offense has been modest without Duchene. Positive goal differential early.
Blackhawks: 3-5-0 overall (better at home, with recent wins). Coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over Winnipeg and a prior win over Pittsburgh. They have shown more offense lately at home but continue to allow high shot and goal totals.
Series History
This is the first 2026-27 meeting. Chicago earned points in all three meetings last season (including a home win). Historically competitive Central Division rivalry with many close, high-event games. Bedard and Kane have strong personal numbers against Dallas.
Betting Trends
Dallas has been strong defensively and in close games; Chicago has been high-event at home recently (supporting potential overs). Stars’ road form is mixed but their structure travels well.
Game Odds
Dallas Stars – 211
Chicago Blackhawks 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 16, 2026
