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The Dallas Stars meet the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena Thursday to open their 2024-25 seasons. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+/hulu). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Stars vs. Predators odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; tied 2-2 in 2023-24
While these teams split the 4-game regular-season series, the road team won each of the meetings. Dallas is 6-2-0 in the past 8 meetings since Oct. 13, 2022. The Over has cashed in 3 consecutive battles, too, including a 9-2 win by Dallas in the Music City in the last meeting Feb. 15.
The Stars lost a bunch of key players, including Ds Ryan Suter and Chris Tanev, as well as Fs Radek Faksa and Joe Pavelski. However, Dallas replenished the depth with Ds Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin and Brendan Smith, while adding a quality backup with G Casey DeSmith.
The Predators picked up Stanley Cup winner and former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, as Nashville is serious about contending for a championship this season.
It also grabbed Vegas Golden Knights Cup winner Jonathan Marchessault to work with Stamkos on a retooled top line, and it plucked Ds Luke Schenn and Brady Skjei to bolster the back end, while signing former Dallas backup G Scott Wedgewood to serve behind G Juuse Saros.
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Stars at Predators odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 5:32 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Predators -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars -1.5 (+195) | Predators +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Stars at Predators projected goalies
Jake Oettinger (35-14-4, 2.72 GAA, .905 SV%, 3 SO in 2023-24) vs. Juuse Saros (35-24-5, 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%, 3 SO in 2023-24) vs.
Oettinger was slightly better on the road last season than he was at home, going 18-6-2 with a 2.67 GAA and .912 SV% with 2 SO in 25 starts on the road. He went 1-1-0 with a 3.66 GAA and .897 SV% in 2 starts against the Predators.
Saros rolled up 22 victories in 39 starts at home in the Music City, while posting 2.91 GAA and .904 SV% with all 3 of his shutouts coming at home. He struggled in 2 starts against the Stars, going 0-2-0 with a 5.25 GAA and .865 SV% in 2 starts.
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Stars at Predators picks and predictions
Prediction
Predators 3, Stars 2
Moneyline
The PREDATORS (-105) are a strong play at home despite the fact they’re short ‘dogs. Nashville made some giant improvements to the roster, including Marchessault and Stamkos. Look for those 2 players to fire out of the gates with their new team.
The Stars (-115) are seriously going to be a Stanley Cup contender, but it’s unfortunate they have a tough road game to open.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Predators +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too risky of a play for not nearing enough reward.
If you like Nashville at home in the opener, just play it on the moneyline.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (+100) is worth a look at even-money with 2 strong goaltenders locking horns.
While, yes, Nashville added some key offensive components, it’s still tough to beat Oettinger. The Over cashed in the past 3 meetings, the Under has a 5-4-1 edge in the past 10 in the series since Feb. 24, 2022.
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