[Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)] NHL Analysis Stars @ Blackhawks Preview - BeaverStats

2026-10-17

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Stars @ Blackhawks (Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Stars @ Blackhawks

Stars projected starting goalie: Jake Oettinger @ Blackhawks projected starting goalie: Spencer Knight

This game comes down to a 7.9-point 5v5 xG% edge for the Stars and a hot Oettinger, whose GSAx over his last five starts is +6.4.

Early in the season, so blending last year with this year, the Stars sit at 50.8 5v5 xG% and the Blackhawks at 42.9. This season alone it is 48.9 to 38.8. Dallas is 3-3-1 with a 16-13 goal difference and 11-7 at 5v5. Chicago is 3-5 at 21-32 overall and 13-22 at 5v5.

In goal, Oettinger has a .903 SV%, +6.4 GSAx and a 16-7-3 record in 26 road starts over the last two seasons. This year he is at .944 and +6.4 over five games, and his last five games were mostly positive (-0.2, +1.9, +2.9, +1.6, +0.2). Knight has a .896 SV%, +1.7 GSAx and a 14-12-7 record in 33 home starts. This year he is at .890 and +0.5 over six games. Both allowed three goals last time out.

On form, Dallas won 3-2 in a shootout at Colorado for a one-game streak. Chicago has won two straight, the latest 4-3 in overtime over Winnipeg. The Stars won the last meeting 4-3 in overtime.

Neither goalie is confirmed. If Chicago turns to Soderblom, he is at .820 and -3.2 GSAx over two games this season, and -5.6 GSAx at home, which would widen the gap. If Dallas uses DeSmith, he is at .925 and +0.8 GSAx this season, and +6.8 GSAx on the road.

In summary, 5v5 play and goaltending both favor Dallas. For Chicago, the key is whether Knight can cut down the goals against. For Dallas, it is whether Oettinger's recent form carries over.