Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

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

The Nashville Predators (33-26-8) take on the Dallas Stars (37-22-8) drop the puck at the American Airlines Center at 2 p.m. ET Saturday in Dallas. We analyze the Predators-Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Predators at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Juuse Saros vs. Ben Bishop

Saros might get the start in the second end of the home-and-home after blanking the Stars 2-0 in Nashville on Thursday night, turning aside all 33 shots he faced. It hasn’t been confirmed he’ll start over Pekka Rinne, but it makes sense. The last time Rinne faced the Stars in Texas, it was outdoors in the Cotton Bowl at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, a 4-2 loss for the Predators. He allowed four goals on 35 shots that day. He also allowed four goals on 22 shots in a Dec. 14 loss in the Music City, so the Stars really seem to have his number.

Bishop made the start on New Year’s Day vs. NSH, allowing two goals on 33 shots in a win in his only appearance this season against the Preds. Anton Khudobin started Thursday in Nashville, allowing two goals on 32 shots in a loss. He did beat the Preds Dec. 14 in Smashville, allowing just one goal on 38 shots, but Bishop has been confirmed.


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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 Saturday at 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Predators 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (-154) have dropped four in a row, but they’re 5-1 in the past six meetings against the Predators (+125), while winning 30 of the previous 43 battles in Texas, too. The favorite has cashed in 26 of the previous 38 in this series.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Stars (-1.5, +180) are my play to win on the moneyline, but I expect this to be a tight, defensive battle. Plus, three of the past four wins by Dallas have resulted in one-goal victories. Six of the past 10 wins by the Stars have been by the score of 3-2. If anything, the Predators (+1.5, -223) are the play, but that juice is just way too much.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-143) is where it’s at. The under has cashed in five straight division games for the Predators and five of the past seven on the road, while hitting in 12 of the past 17 overall. The under is 38-16-5 in the past 59 at home for Dallas, and 16-7-3 in the past 26 inside the division.

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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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.


Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.


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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