The Boston Bruins (28-19-2) and Dallas Stars (27-13-9) meet in an NHL duel tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Stars are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-110o / +100u). The Stars are a -170 favorite to win outright, while the Bruins are +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bruins vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks.
Bruins vs. Stars Odds, Pick
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -160 | 6 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Stars Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +135 | 6 -110o / -110u | -170 |
- Bruins vs. Stars Spread: Stars -1.5 (+135 ), Bruins +1.5 (-160)
- Bruins vs. Stars Over/Under: 6 (-110o / +100u)
- Bruins vs. Stars Moneyline: Bruins +145, Stars -170
Bruins vs. Stars Preview
Boston Bruins
Now is the time to sell high on the Boston Bruins, who enter this contest amid a six-game winning streak. First, they are facing an entirely different challenge in the Dallas Stars, who boast a significantly higher goal differential than any of the six teams Boston faced during that run.
Second, Boston’s underlying metrics remain poor. This season, the Bruins rank 22nd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 29th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
As a result, Boston ranks 27th in expected goal share.
Meanwhile, goaltender Jeremy Swayman is projected to start for the Bruins. Over his past two starts against Dallas, Swayman is 0-2 with a fade-worthy .841 save percentage and a 5.59 goals-against average.
Dallas Stars
Across the ice, Jake Oettinger is slated to start for the Stars. Through six career games against Boston, Oettinger owns a .920 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average.
That said, the largest gap between these teams is the play in front of the net. While the Bruins have struggled analytically this season, Dallas sits on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Entering this matchup, the Stars rank in the top half of the league in xGF/60, xGA/60 and expected goal share.
Dallas also holds a home-ice advantage, where it is 12-7-3 this season. By comparison, Boston is 11-11-1 on the road.
Bruins vs. Stars Prediction
There is more value in taking Dallas on the puck line at +135 rather than laying -180 on the moneyline. Each of the Stars’ past six wins has come by at least two goals.
Conversely, six of Boston’s past eight losses have been by two or more goals.
Additionally, Swayman has lost each of his past two starts against Dallas, with those defeats coming by three and five goals.
Pick: Stars -1.5 (+135 | Play to +130)
