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.
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