The Dallas Stars (30-18-5) host the Minnesota Wild (25-22-6) Friday at American Airlines Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Wild-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Wild at Stars: Projected starting goalies
Devan Dubnyk vs. Ben Bishop
The Wild are 9-13-2 through 23 starts and two relief appearances from Devan Dubnyk, who is projected to start. He has a .890 save percentage and 3.40 goals against average. He allowed six goals on 34 shots in a loss to the Boston Bruins his last time out.
Bishop is 18-11-4 through 35 starts and one relief appearance. He has a .925 SV% and a 2.36 GAA. He surrendered four goals on 41 shots in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders Tuesday.
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Wild at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Stars 5, Wild 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Wild (+155) are coming off a 4-2 home win over the Vancouver Canucks Thursday with backup Alex Stalock in net. It was the final game of a seven-game homestand. They finished 5-2, including a 7-0 win over the Stars Jan. 18. While they’re now 16-7-4 at home for the season, they’re just 9-15-2 on the road.
The STARS (-189) will be our pick with a 16-8-2 home record. They’ve been off since the overtime loss to the Islanders and are 5-4-1 across their last 10 games. Dallas beat Minnesota 6-3 Oct. 29 in the only head-to-head meeting of the season thus far at the AAC.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Back the STARS (-1.5, +150) to win by at least two goals as they host a Wild team playing on the road for the first time since Jan. 14. Dallas is 28-25 against the spread overall and 12-14 ATS at home for the season. Minnesota is 27-26 ATS overall and 14-12 on the road.
The Stars have been playing plenty of free hockey of late, going to overtime in three of their last five games, but they’ll handle their Central Division rivals Friday while working with the home, rest and goaltending advantages.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (+110). Two of the three meetings this season eclipsed this projection, and while Anton Khudobin was in net for the Stars in both games, both teams are plenty familiar with each other as they complete their season series. Take the plus-money.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196
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