Stars can shine in Chicago
Best bet 
/ Andy Morris / 10 February 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now
Marty Turco is in good form, having won three of his last five games with a 2.00 goals-against average
The Dallas Stars don't win too many games on the road, but you can mark down their visit to Chicago as a good bet, writes Andy Morris.
It's getting to the time of the season when all games are crucial in the NHL, and Dallas know they have to go on a good run to get inside the top eight and make the playoffs. The Stars go into their next game just three points behind the top eight, with an important three-game road trip sure to test them to the limit.
This is the third meeting between the Stars and the Blackhawks this season, and Dallas has won both so far. They won 4-3 in Chicago on October 17 and clinched a 5-4 win on home ice on December 29.Though they are only 8-15-6 as the visiting club this season, they feel that they can now take what is a solid home record (18-6-4) and use that confidence on the road, especially now that centre, Mike Ribeiro, is back in the team, a month after suffering a stick blow to the throat.
The Stars have been without two or three key centres in recent games, so the return of Ribeiro may prove vital. Dallas beat Phoenix 4-0 in their last home game on Saturday, and overcame the Wild 4-2 in their previous home game. They have also scored morale-boosting home wins over the Flames, Avalanche and Red Wings recently.
The Blackhawks are second in the league with their tally of 38 wins 12 more than Dallas. However, they lost three games in a row last week, to Carolina, St Louis and Phoenix, before stopping the rot on Saturday with a 2-1 win in St Louis.
Stars goalie Marty Turco is in good form, having won three of his last five games with a 2.00 goals-against average over that time. So, although Antti Niemi is also hot - he's won three of his last four starts - the Blackhawks don't have a significant advantage in that department.
Dallas coach Marc Crawford likes what he's seeing from Turco at present and also that 'he's feeling good about himself right now.' '
The fact that second-placed Chicago are at home should ensure you get good odds on a Dallas victory here.
