NHL: Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Prediction, Odds & Best Bets || January 6, 2024

We have a divisional matchup on our hands tonight as the Nashville Predators (21-17-1) will take on the Dallas Stars (22-10-5) at the American Airlines Arena. Both teams sit back-to-back in the Central with the Stars in 3rd and Predators in 4th.

Let's start with the visiting team. The Predators are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Flames on Thursday night. The team is 9-7-1 on the road and has a record of 6-4-0 in divisional games. They are also 5-4-1 in their last 10 games.

If the season were to end today, the Predators would be the in the 1st Wild Card spot. They have a 2-point edge on the Kraken for that 1st spot. There's still a ton of hockey left, but showing Nashville has been playing decent hockey.

This team is led on offense by Filip Forsberg. He leads the team in both goals (19) and assist (24). Captain Roman Josi and newly signed Ryan O'Reilly are next in line for the team's offense.

Both offensively and defensively, the Preds rank middle of the league. Goals forced and allowed as well as shots on goal forced and allowed. They rank in the bottom of the league defensively for penalty kill and penalty minutes. They will have to get that under control vs the Stars who are better in both.

Starting goalie Juuse Saros is having an ok season in the 31 games he has started. His record is 16-14-1 with a 3.01 GAA and a .901 save percentage. In much less games, backup Kevin Lankinen has very similar stats, just a record of 4-3-0. Lankinen will get the start for Nashville.

Now the home team. Dallas has been off to a very similar start as Nashville. They rank middle of the pack in most offense and defensive categories.

The Stars really stand out on defense for their penalty kill and penalty minutes. They rank 4th in the league for penalty kill with an 84.9% rate and commit the 2nd least number of penalties in the league.

Jason Robertson leads the Stars in assists with 25 and in points with 25. Miro Heiskanen, who is out with a lower body injury, is second in points with 23. Newly acquired and former Predator Matt Duchene has been a great addition to this offense. He has 11 goals and 23 assists on the year.

Goalie Scott Wedgewood will be in net tonight with starter Jake Oettinger out with a lower body injury. Wedgewood is 11-3-3 so far this year and has a 3.11 GAA with a .897 save percentage. He has been more than solid in his role this season.

Let's take a look at the odds for the game and get into some predictions and plays!

Betting Odds

Puck Line

• Nashville Predators +1.5 (-160)
• Dallas Stars -1.5 (+132)

Moneyline

• Nashville Predators +146
• Dallas Stars -178

Totals

• Over 6.5 (-110)
• Under 6.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of MyBookie

Game Information

• Venue: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX
• Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024
• Puck Drop: 8pm EST
• TV: BSSW, BSSO

Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Prediction and Picks

Prediction and Pick: Game Total Under 6.5 (-110) MyBookie

These two teams have a heated rivalry – they just hate each other. Every game is a tough, hard-fought battle. So hard fought that in the end, they beat each other up more than they score the puck.

In their last 7 matchups, all the game totals have gone under 6.5. This includes the game played just 2 weeks ago as well and in their last 5 matchups, Dallas has come out on top.

I predict this game to be close again and think both teams are going to grind it. I do like Dallas to come out and get the early lead at home. The Stars may not hold it the entire game because the game should go back and forth, but not much.

Both teams will have backups in net that have a combined GAA of 6.26. It's close and may be a little sweaty, but this game is going under. If you're feeling spicy…the Stars in regulation is -125!

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