Tag: Dallas Stars

Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (26-17-7) and Dallas Stars (28-17-4) will lock horns at American Airlines Center in Dallas at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Maple Leafs-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Maple Leafs at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Frederik Andersen vs. Ben Bishop

Andersen, fresh off an All-Star Game appearance, has posted a 23-9-6 record with a 2.86 goals against average and .910 save percentage. He is coming off of an impressive road victory over the Nashville Predators. If the Leafs choose to give him a rest, backup Michael Hutchinson owns a 3-7-1 record with a 3.83 GAA and .885 SV%, and he has won three of his past five outings.

Bishop owns a 17-10-3 record, 2.27 GAA and .927 save percentage across his 32 starts and one relief appearance. He was in the crease Monday, knocking off the high-octane Tampa Bay Lightning in a 3-2 overtime win.

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Maple Leafs at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Maple Leafs 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (-121) have played tremendous defense this season, allowing 2.5 goals per game to rank first in the NHL. That’s good enough to back the home side, even though the Maple Leafs (+100) are even money and coming off an impressive win in the Music City last time out.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Stars to win returns a profit of $8.30, while a $10 wager on the Maple Leafs results in a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Maple Leafs (+1.5, -278) should keep it pretty close, but you have to risk almost three times your return on investment, and that’s inadvisable betting behavior. The Stars (-1.5, +225) are a tempting play at this price, but they just do not score enough to play them on puck lines. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (+110) is worth a look at plus-money, especially with Andersen coming off an impressive showing, and the Stars ranking No. 1 in the league in goals against. This should be a defensive slog.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (29-15-4) and Dallas Stars (27-17-4) will lock horns at American Airlines Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Lightning-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Ben Bishop

The All-Star Vasilevskiy entered the All-Star break on a roll, winning his previous 10 starts. Overall, he is 24-9-2 with a 2.54 goals against average and .917 save percentage, as he has regained his Vezina Trophy winning form after a sluggish start to the season. He allowed four goals on just 20 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss in the first meeting with the Stars at Amalie Arena back on Dec. 19. After working in the All-Star Skills Competition and round-robin tournament, it wouldn’t be shocking to see backup Curtis McElhinney make the start. He is 5-6-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .902 SV% in 13 appearances.

Bishop is 16-10-3 with a 2.28 GAA and .927 SV% in 31 starts and 32 appearances overall. The former Lightning backstop hasn’t faced his old organization this season. He is 0-1-1 with a 5.39 GAA and .792 SV% in two appearances vs. the Stars since leaving for Dallas to start the 2017-18 season.

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Lightning at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 4, Stars 2

Moneyline (ML)

The LIGHTNING (-139) are moderate road favorites out of the break, with the Stars (+115) short ‘dogs at home. That’s likely because the Lightning have been on a roll lately, going 5-0 in the past five against winning teams, 4-1 in the past five against Western Conference foes and 5-1 in the past six meetings against Dallas. The Lightning are also 5-2 in their past seven trips to the Metroplex.

A $10 bet on the Lightning to win returns a profit of $7.20, while a $10 wager on the Stars results in a profit of $11.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The LIGHTNING (-1.5, +195) represent a pretty solid value, as you can double up with a two-goal win. However, keep in mind that the Stars (+1.5, -239) are the No. 1 defensive team in the NHL, allowing just 2.5 goals per game. They’re also ninth on the penalty kill at 82.4 percent, so tread lightly.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total (5.5) is risky business, as there is some uncertainty with Tampa Bay’s starting netminder, so be careful. If McElhinney gets the nod, it’s a different ball game. If Vasilevskiy is in between the pipes, this will be a low-scoring battle. The Under is 4-1 in Tampa’s past five road games, and 8-3 in the past 11 as a road favorite. The Under is 33-14-2 in the past 51 at home for Dallas, and a perfect 4-0 in their past four against teams with a winning percentage over .600.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Dallas Stars (27-16-4) and Minnesota Wild (21-20-6) tangle at the Xcel Energy Center at 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Stars-Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Stars at Wild: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Devan Dubnyk

Bishop leads his Stars into the Twin Cities with an impressive 16-10-3 record, 2.22 goals against average and .929 save percentage in his 31 starts so far. He stopped eight of the 10 shots he faced against Wild in the Metroplex back on Oct. 29, but he was pulled after one period in favor of Anton Khudobin by then-coach Jim Montgomery, who felt Bishop wasn’t at the top of his game. Bishop faced the Wild on Dec. 1 in this very building, falling 3-2 in a shootout.

Dubnyk was an All-Star last season, but he limps in with an 8-12-2 record, 3.35 GAA and .892 SV%. He has yet to face the Stars this season. Alex Stalock is 1-1-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .891 SV% in two starts against the Stars this season, and he has a 10-7-3 record, 2.96 GAA and .903 save percentage. He would be the better choice if the Wild elect to go with Stalock.

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Stars at Wild: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Wild 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (-134) are 4-1 in their past five road games, and 7-2 in the past nine games overall. They’ve been rolling along, playing solid defense with timely goaltending lately. The Wild (+110), meh, not so much. They’re mired in a 1-4 tailspin, while going 2-5 in the past seven against winning sides. They’re also just 2-6 in the past eight as a home underdog.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The STARS (-1.5, +220) just don’t pile up the offense, and everything is a grind when they’re involved. The Wild (+1.5, -278) can’t be trusted, either, as a late empty-net goal always crushes bettors taking the goal and a half. At nearly three times your return, you can’t afford to roll those dice. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-150) carries quite a bit of juice, which helps you glean a little bit about what the lean of the oddsmakers is. You can play the alternate line of UNDER 4.5 (+135) if you really like to roll the dice, and come out ahead. If Stalock was the projected netminder, and not the sieve that is Dubnyk, I’d feel a lot more confident about the alternate line.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo Sabres at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Buffalo Sabres at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (21-19-7) and Dallas Stars (27-15-4) will lock horns at American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Sabres at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Linus Ullmark vs. Ben Bishop

The Sabres have leaned upon Ullmark heavily, as Carter Hutton has been horrific. Ullmark is 15-12-3 with a 2.78 goals against average and .911 save percentage with a shutout. Ullmark hasn’t faced the Stars this season, but he was amazing against them in two outings last year. He allowed three goals on a total of 54 shots, but took the loss in both games.

Bishop posted an impressive 3-2 win in overtime Tuesday night in Colorado, as the Stars came back from a 2-0 deficit. Bishop is 16-9-3 with a 2.23 GAA and .930 save percentage this season. He fell 4-0 in Buffalo Oct. 14 in the first head-to-head meeting when he made just 18 saves.

NHL Special Thursday Bet

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Sabres at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Sabres 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (-223) are favored heavily over the Sabres (+180) despite the fact Buffalo won the first meeting 4-0 Oct. 14. These teams are totally different since then, and Dallas even has a new coach, as Rick Bowness has replaced Jim Montgomery behind the bench. Buffalo is struggling, and Dallas is rolling. Still, you can’t risk twice as much as your return on investment. AVOID.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The STARS (-1.5, +135) are the play on the puck line, albeit rather lightly. The Sabres have won just 11 of their past 41 on the road, and they’re 17-41 in the previous 58 as an underdog away from home. The Stars have rocketed up the Central Division standings, winning seven of the past eight overall, and 13 of the past 17 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-129) is the way to go. While the Over is 3-0-1 in the past four for Buffalo overall, the Under is 5-2-1 in the past eight when working on just one day of rest. The Under is also 6-2-1 in the past nine meetings in this series, including each of the past three.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Stars (26-15-4) visit the Colorado Avalanche (25-15-5) Tuesday at Pepsi Center for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Stars-Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Stars at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Philipp Grubauer

Bishop enters the day on a three-game winning streak, and he has been off since a 27-save shutout against the Anaheim Ducks last Thursday. He’s 15-9-3 on the season with a .928 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average.

Grubauer has been off for a week. He last allowed four goals on 28 shots in a loss to the New York Rangers. He is 12-10-3 on the year with a .909 SV% and 2.92 GAA.

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Stars at Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 5, Avalanche 3

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (+125) are road dogs despite leading the Avalanche (-154) by one point for second place in the Central Division. Dallas is coming off a 2-1 road loss against the San Jose Sharks Saturday, snapping a six-game win streak which started with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Avs Dec. 28. Colorado has dropped three straight games for the second time in its last eight outings. It fell 4-3 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday.

Take the value with the STARS (+125) as the better team right now, and for the season. Dallas is 11-9-2 on the road and 7-3 across its last 10 games, while Colorado is 11-7-3 at home but 3-5-2 over its last 10 games. The Stars are up 3-0 in the head-to-head season series and shouldn’t be getting plus-money.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Liking the Stars to continue the season domination of the divisional rival, look to the alternate spread and back DALLAS (-1.5, +340) to win by at least 2 goals for better than a 3-1 return on your investment.

Dallas is 24-21 against the spread overall and 13-9 on the road, while Colorado is 26-19 ATS overall, but just 10-11 at home. The Stars have six road wins by at least a 2-goal margin.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (-106) and look for two rusty goalies to give up some early goals before settling into this divisional rivalry. The Avs are 8-2 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, while the Stars are 5-5.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 164-150

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Anaheim Ducks (17-21-5) host the Dallas Stars (25-14-4) Thursday at Honda Center for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Stars-Ducks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Stars at Ducks: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. John Gibson

Bishop had the night off Wednesday as backup Anton Khudobin led the Stars to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The three-time Vezina Trophy finalist won his last two starts and is 14-9-3 on the year with a .926 save percentage and 2.33 goals against average. He has been considerably worse on the road with a .895 SV% and 3.31 GAA.

Gibson is coming off a home win over the Nashville Predators Sunday in which he stopped 22 of 26 shots on goal. He has a .906 SV% and 2.95 GAA for a 13-16-3 record.

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Stars at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Ducks 4, Stars 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (-139) have strung together five straight wins, including three by at least two-goal margins. Khudobin drew both of the last two starts against the weaker competition of the Kings and Detroit Red Wings. Dallas is 7-3 across its last 10 games and 10-8-2 on the road for the season. The Ducks (+115) are coming off a 4-3 home loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday. They’re 3-6-1 across their last 10 but are 11-8-3 at home.

Back the DUCKS (+115) at plus-money, due to their relatively impressive home record and Bishop’s struggles on the road. Both teams are below 50% in Corsi rating (percentage of total shot attempts) at 5-on-5.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The safer, but less rewarding play, is to take the DUCKS (+1.5, -250) on the puck line. The Stars are 23-20 against the spread overall and 12-8 on the road, while the Ducks are 21-22 ATS overall and 10-12 at home. The Stars won the year’s first meeting 2-1 in Dallas.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Ducks to lose by just 1 goal or win outright returns a profit of $4. The same wager on the moneyline for the straight-up win fetches a profit of $11.50.

Over/Under (O/U)

Go with the OVER 5.5 (+115) as the more profitable play. Anaheim is 7-3 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games while Dallas is 5-4-1. Follow Bishop’s road splits in our 4-2 win for the hosts as star D John Klingberg (lower body) remains out for Dallas.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 160-139

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Stars (24-14-4) visit the Los Angeles Kings (17-23-4) at Staples Center Wednesday night for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Stars-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Stars at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Jonathan Quick

Bishop owns a 2.33 goals against average and .926 save percentage on the season. He’s perhaps a bit over his skis with a .894 SV% on the penalty kill. He has a .939 SV% at home vs. .895 on the road.

Quick owns a 3.05 GAA and .893 SV%. He was solid over five starts across the middle two weeks of December, but the veteran netminder has registered a mere .884 SV% in four starts since. Quick has struggled over recent starts against Dallas. He allowed eight goals on 56 shots in two starts against the Stars last season.

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Stars at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Dallas 4, Los Angeles 3

Moneyline (ML)

Kings are 6-14-4 when coming off of one day of rest, while averaging 2.0 goals per game against their opponents’ 3.0. The Stars aren’t a great top-to-bottom puck-possession team, but they do a credible job in the production of and limitation of quality scoring chances, the best looks from good angles in the low-to-mid slot in front of the cage.

DALLAS (-150) is worthy of a line-watch. Early betting has gone heavily to the Dallas side and has wiped out some profit potential. A move back below -145 would trigger a small play.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on the Dallas (-1.5, +190) line. Bishop’s road line makes the multi-goal win for the Stars a tough one to navigate.

Over/Under (O/U)

Dallas ranks 24th in goals scored (2.69) and first in goals allowed (2.43). Recent games gave been higher scoring, though. Those respective averages are 3.4 and 3.1 over the team’s last seven games. Los Angeles has yielded 3.3 GPG over its last six games.

The goaltender breakdown, recent trends and some movements in the numbers underpinning goal-scoring output point to a solid six- or seven-goal game here. Take the OVER 5.5 (+125).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Red Wings (10-28-3) visit the Dallas Stars (23-14-4) at American Airlines Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop Friday. We analyze the Red Wings-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Red Wings at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Bernier vs. Anton Khudobin

Bernier is coming off a 34-save shutout against the San Jose Sharks Tuesday. He is 8-11-2 on the year with a .905 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average.

Khudobin enters on a personal three-game winning streak and he draws the start in the easier matchup for the hosts. He is 9-5-1 on the year with a .929 SV% and 2.29 GAA.

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Red Wings at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 6, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (-334) win this game nearly 77% of the time according to the implied odds. They’re the better team up-and-down the ice and especially in the crease. Dallas is 14-6-2 at home this year and enters on a three-game winning streak, including the 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. The Stars rank second in the NHL with just 103 goals allowed on the year.

The Red Wings (+260) are unattractive in just about every way, and aren’t even worth a second thought. They’re last in the league with just 23 points and they’ve won just four of 20 road games. They’re coming off a 2-0 win over the Sharks Tuesday, but they’ve won two straight games just thrice all year. It’s a hard PASS on the chalky number for the hosts.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Stars to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $3.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Use your savings from passing on the moneyline bet to hammer the STARS (-1.5, -106) on the spread where they’ll need to win by at least two goals. Seventeen of the Red Wings’ 28 losses have been a margin of at least three goals. The Stars are 22-19 against the spread for the year while the Wings are just 17-24.

Over/Under (O/U)

Play the OVER 5.5 (+100) and expect Dallas to take care of all six goals on its own. One or two late goals by Detroit would be nice, but shouldn’t be a necessity as the Stars light up Bernier.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 151-122

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Winter Classic: Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Winter Classic between the Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Nashville Predators (18-14-6) and Dallas Stars (22-14-4) drop the puck at the Cotton Bowl in the annual Winter Classic at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday.

It seems weird for hockey, but it is outdoors, so we take a look at the weather forecast. The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, little chance of precipitation and temperatures in the mid-50’s.

We analyze the Predators-Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Predators at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Pekka Rinne vs. Ben Bishop

Rinne puts his 13-7-3 record on the line, and he has a 3.02 goals-against average and .894 save percentage. He lost his only previous start on home ice against the Stars back on Dec. 14, coughing up four goals on 22 shots.

Bishop has been outstanding with a 2.34 GAA and .926 save percentage. While the results of his hard work don’t exactly show in his win-loss record at 13-9-3, it’s mostly a lack of offensive support which has led to his mediocre ledger. He hasn’t faced the Preds this season, as Anton Khudobin took that start in the second end of a back-to-back Dec. 14.

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Predators at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Predators 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (-143) are a better play because they have the better netminder in the crease. This will be a lower-scoring game, and that’s when Bishop is at his best. Taking Dallas is going a bit against the grain, as the home team is just 3-8 SU in the previous 11 Winter Classic battles.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Don’t even think about the puck line. The Stars (-1.5, +190) are an intriguing play, but six of the 11 previous Winter Classics have resulted in one-goal games.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-134) is the play here. While ice technology has improved amazingly over the past couple of decades, as no one would ever have imagined an outdoor game in Texas … even in Winter. The ice will likely still be sticky, but the fact there is no snowfall or precipitation in the forecast will likely mean the ice is better than we have seen in previous games in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, etc. … Still, with two outstanding netminders, the goals will be at a premium. Eight of the previous 11 Winter Classics have seen a total of 5 or fewer goals.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ricky Williams will drop the ceremonial puck at the NHL Winter Classic

Before the Winter Classic, the NHL announced that former Texas running back Ricky Williams would be dropping the ceremonial puck.

For the first time in the state of Texas, the NHL Winter Classic will take place. Playing on New Year’s Day, the Dallas Stars will be hosting the Nashville Predators. The Stars usually play their home games at the American Airlines Center but will be playing outside for the Winter Classic.

The venue will be the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, the same place where Texas faces off against Oklahoma in the annual Red River Shootout. Before the game, the National Hockey League announced that former Texas running back Ricky Williams would be dropping the ceremonial puck.

Williams played five career games at the Cotton Bowl, having a career 3-1-1 record in those games. Four of them came against Oklahoma, but the other was in the 1999 Cotton Bowl when the Longhorns played Mississippi State. He ran for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts to secure a bowl win for Texas. Against Oklahoma, he ran for 465 yards and five touchdowns in four games.

While the stadium is nicknamed “The House that Doak Built”, Williams has put up some great performances in the Cotton Bowl. Dropping the puck before the game on New Year’s Day, Williams will help the hockey world learn about the history of the Cotton Bowl.

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