The Dallas Stars open their 2021 season against the Nashville Predators (2-1-0) Friday with an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop at American Airlines Center. Dallas’ start to the season was delayed by COVID-19 issues throughout the roster and it had five games postponed. Below, we analyze the Predators-Stars NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Predators at Stars: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Predators -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Stars +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Predators -1.5 (+220) | Stars +1.5 (-275)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Predators at Stars: Projected starting goalies
Juuse Saros (2-0-0, .959 SV%, 1.50 GAA) vs. Anton Khudobin (2019-20 stats: 16-8-4, .930 SV%, 2.22 GAA)
Saros has been brilliant in two starts on home ice, allowing just 3 goals on 74 total shots against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He went 10-6-3 with a .911 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average in 22 appearances on the road last season.
Khudobin will begin the season as the No. 1 netminder for Dallas with G Ben Bishop still sidelined by a knee injury. Khudobin had the best SV% in the NHL last season. He went 14-10 with a .917 SV% in the playoffs while getting Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final last summer.
Get some action on this game or any NHL matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Predators at Stars: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Predators 5, Stars 2
Money line (ML)
The PREDATORS (-125) are getting a conservative price against the reigning Western Conference champions. The Stars are still without Bishop and C Tyler Seguin (hip) and haven’t had a lot of practice time as a team while sitting idly by over the last two weeks.
This is an unprecedented situation and the Preds having three games under their belts should play to a significant advantage. Nashville also had a game postponed Tuesday and will be looking to avenge a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Monday.
Against the spread (ATS)
Take the PREDATORS -1.5 (+220) as a strong value play to win by 2 or more goals. We’ve seen goalies throughout the league struggle in the early going with sloppy defensive play.
That hasn’t been the case for Saros and the Preds, but it should be the expectation for Khudobin and the Stars due to their lack of proper practice time.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (+100) with the expectation of the Predators being able to provide the bulk of the offense. They’ve already potted 5 goals in a game once this season and will look to take advantage of Dallas’ irregular start.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Esten McLaren on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]