{"id":484894,"date":"2026-03-08T08:59:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T12:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=484894"},"modified":"2026-03-08T08:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T12:59:28","slug":"nhl-predictions-march-8-chicago-blackhawks-vs-dallas-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/08\/nhl-predictions-march-8-chicago-blackhawks-vs-dallas-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: March 8 Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>In this matchup, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/02\/report-news-edmonton-oilers-chicago-blackhawks-trade-deadline-defenceman\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> take on the surging <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/05\/nashville-predators-trade-forward-to-divisional-rival\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a>. Welcome back to this edition of NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at <\/span><em>Last Word On Hockey <\/em><span>analyze the day\u2019s 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\u2019t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Time:\u00a0<\/strong>6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Season Series:\u00a0<\/strong>Blackhawks lead 2-0<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a> TV:\u00a0<\/strong>ESPN+, CHSN, Victory+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Location:\u00a0<\/strong>American Airlines Center<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bedarco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Bedard<\/a> and the Chicago Blackhawks are back on the road as they take on <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/roberja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Robertson<\/a> and the Stars.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Dallas&#8217; dominance this season, the Hawks are going for the season sweep tonight. In the first matchup, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bertuty01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a>&#8216;s two-goal performance helped the Hawks overcome a third-period deficit. Newly traded <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dickija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Dickinson<\/a> scored the other regulation goal, while <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lardini01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Lardis<\/a> won it in a shootout. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rantami01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikko Rantanen<\/a> had a three-point night for Dallas, but it was not enough to overcome <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/soderar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arvid Soderblom<\/a>&#8216;s 28-save performance. In the second game, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mikheil01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ilya Mikheyev<\/a>&#8216;s two goals propelled Chicago to victory. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/donatry01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Donato<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/burakan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Burakovsky<\/a> added two assists, while <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/knighsp01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Knight<\/a> thwarted a late Dallas push. The Hawks are looking to complete the season sweep tonight.<\/p>\n<h3>Blackhawks Looking to Bounce Back After Tough Loss<\/h3>\n<p>The Hawks suffered a brutal loss on Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks. Arvid Soderblom surrendered six goals on 22 shots, while the Hawks could not respond to Vancouver&#8217;s third-period push. Donato and Mikheyev netted goals, while <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nazarfr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frank Nazar<\/a> finally got back on the score sheet with a second-period marker. The Hawks had chances, led by Connor Bedard&#8217;s four shots. However, the team is reeling after a loss to the league&#8217;s worst team. Spencer Knight will not travel to Dallas due to illness. Drew Commesso and Nick Lardis have also been recalled. As always, <span> b<\/span><span>e\u00a0sure to <\/span><span>check social media before puck drop for lineups and starting goaltender information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Blackhawks are calling up Nick Lardis and Drew Commesso, Blashill said.<\/p>\n<p>Spencer Knight won\u2019t travel to Dallas due to his illness.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenPopeCST\/status\/2030348520100643323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>While the players may try to downplay it, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/06\/blackhawks-captain-reunites-with-brother-in-trade-to-wild\/\" target=\"_self\">losses<\/a> of Dickinson and captain <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/foligni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Foligno<\/a> are devastating. The youth movement is in full swing, but moving on from players who are so respected is difficult. Along with <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/murphco02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Murphy<\/a>, those veterans were the loudest voices in the locker room. Now, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vlasial01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Vlasic<\/a>, just 24 years of age, is the longest tenured Blackhawk. The core of Bedard and Nazar, along with <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/levshar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artyom Levshunov<\/a>, must find a way to move forward. The Stars present a big challenge, but the young Hawks have proven able to find ways to get points. They will need an all-out effort.<\/p>\n<h3>Stars Jockeying for Position in Central Division<\/h3>\n<p>The Stars dropped their most recent contest to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/06\/calgary-flames-trade-stanley-cup-champion-to-avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, who lead the league in points. The loss ended Dallas&#8217; 10-game win streak. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/heiskmi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miro Heiskanen<\/a>, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnswy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wyatt Johnston<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hryckju01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Hryckowian<\/a> gave the Stars a 3-1 lead before they surrendered it. Captain <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bennja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamie Benn<\/a> also found the back of the net. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> would like to have that game back. He only made 25 saves and was given a big lead by his team. The Stars&#8217; netminder should have an inspired performance tonight.<\/p>\n<p>The Stars have consistently been one of the best teams in the vaunted Central Division. Catching Colorado seems like a tall order, but the Stars are hoping to hold off the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/06\/philadelphia-flyers-and-minnesota-wild-do-one-for-one-player-swap\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a> for second place. The team made some trade deadline acquisitions to bolster their chances at reaching the Stanley Cup Final. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/buntimi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Bunting<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/myersty01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Myers<\/a> were acquired before the deadline. Bunting has 31 points this season, while Myers&#8217; big frame should slot in nicely to Dallas&#8217; blue line. Those two should slot into the lineup for their Stars&#8217; debut tonight.<\/p>\n<h3>Game Prediction<\/h3>\n<p>Although the Hawks have played well against the Stars this season, Dallas is looking to get back into the win column. Expect the Stars to come out victorious.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Stars win 3-2\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Ryan Donato Anytime Goal\u00a0<\/strong>(+525)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Matt Duchene Anytime Goal\u00a0<\/strong>(+210)<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this matchup, the Chicago Blackhawks take on the surging Dallas Stars. Welcome back to this edition of NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey analyze the day\u2019s games and provide in-depth analysis. We break down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5245,"featured_media":455531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,27,29,4547,4548],"tags":[6233,4756,6124,326],"class_list":["post-484894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-blackhawks","category-stars","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-chicago-blackhawks-predictions","tag-connor-bedard","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-jamie-benn"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5245"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=484894"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":484926,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484894\/revisions\/484926"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/455531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=484894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=484894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=484894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}