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The Dallas Stars (37-20-6) will tangle with the Boston Bruins (39-13-12) Thursday at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET (on NBCSN). We analyze the Stars-Bruins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Stars at Bruins: Projected starting goalies
Ben Bishop vs. Jaroslav Halak
Bishop heads into this one with a 21-13-4 record, 2.45 goals against average and .922 save percentage across his 41 appearances (40 starts). He faced the B’s in his first appearance of the season, falling 2-1 while making 18 saves on 20 shots Oct. 3. He hasn’t been as sharp since the All-Star break, turning in a 5-3-1 record, but a subpar 3.05 GAA and .906 SV% in nine outings.
Halak is expected to get the starting nod after Tuukka Rask (23-7-6, 2.22 GAA, .926 SV%) lost to the Calgary Flames Tuesday, his first home loss in regulation this season. Halak is 16-6-6 with a 2.42 GAA and .918 SV% across 29 appearances (27 starts). He has won five of his past six appearances, and three consecutive starts at home.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Stars at Bruins: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Bruins 3, Stars 2
Moneyline (ML)
The BRUINS (-182) are right at or slightly above the threshold for moneylines I like to play. They’re facing a red-hot Stars team (+150) that just dismantled the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in Raleigh Tuesday. In fact, the Stars are 6-1 in the past seven as an underdog, 5-1 in the past six as a road dog and 7-2 in the past nine overall. The road team has also won 10 of the past 13 meetings in this series. However, the B’s are 10-3 in the past 13 against winning teams and 7-1 in the past eight as a home favorite.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins ML returns a profit of $5.49 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Stars ML results in a profit of $15 if they win.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The moneyline is much more attractive than taking the Bruins (-1.5, +145), even though they’re tempting at this price level. The Stars (+1.5, -173) are too expensive, too, if you’re looking for a little insurance. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (-139) is the play with two strong defensive teams. Dallas ranks third in the NHL in goals allowed, while Boston leads the league in the category. The B’s are also No. 3 on the penalty kill at 83.8 percent, so you can expect goals to be at a premium in this one.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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