NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Hurricanes vs. Stars

Hurricanes vs. Stars Odds

After a nice three day break, the Carolina Hurricanes head to the Lone Star State on Wednesday to take on the Dallas Stars. The Canes have had a great year so far, leading the Metropolitan Division, but are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.

Similar to its counterparts, Dallas is leading its division and opened a lot of eyes this year. However, it suffered a tough loss in overtime to Buffalo. It’ll be interesting to see if the Stars can recover as they’ve also been playing .500 hockey over their last 10 games.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as our prediction for the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars.

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Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has one of the more dynamic rosters in the league and it’s led by Sebastian Aho. Martin Necas has had a breakout season, but has only posted points in one out of his last five games.

Andrei Svechnikov is another one who has struggled as of late, but is starting to show his scoring touch again. Veteran defenseman Brent Burns has proven to be a very valuable addition as well.

The Hurricanes have the best even strength attack in the league, and quite frankly, it’s not close. They’re currently first in expected goals with a 60.27 xGF% — with second being five points below them. Not only that, but they generate 11.5 high danger chances per game.

It’s surprising, but Carolina’s power play isn’t great, only scoring 18.4% of the time. The penalty kill makes up for it though, succeeding 80.7% of the time.

Since coming back from injury on January 12th, Freddie Andersen has been incredible. He’s posted a .949 SV% and his goals saved above expected has dramatically risen from early on to a +1.2 GSAx. I expect the Dane to start Wednesday.

Dallas Stars

With the absolute wagon the Stars are, all eyes are pointed to superstar Jason Robertson, who’s posted 65 points in 49 games. They’ve also received incredible production from Roope Hintz at an above point per game pace. Captain Jamie Benn has resurged after a couple of down years as well, while Joe Pavelski is always a reliable force.

Dallas is moderately decent on even strength — it usually gets most of its offense on the power play. The Stars rank 12th in expected goals with a 52.47 xGF% and average about 10 high danger chances per game.

The Stars' power play is among the best, scoring at a 26.2% pace. Along with that, their penalty kill is also elite, with an 83.5% success rate.

Since Jake Oettinger started in Monday night’s overtime heartbreaker, I would expect Scott Wedgewood to take the net tonight. Wedgewood has been among the better backup goalies playing to an efficient +4.3 GSAx and a .911 SV%.

Hurricanes vs. Stars Pick

What’s interesting about tonight’s game is that both Dallas and Carolina are among the few that allow less than three goals per game. Most of that can be attested to Oettinger, but if he doesn’t play, it’s more likely for the Hurricanes to have fun with Wedgewood. In their previous matchup in December, the Canes put five goals past Wedgewood in an overtime win.

A three-day break will certainly be helpful for a healing Andersen, but the Stars are more than capable of lighting up hot netminders.

I’m targeting the total here, and can see a potentially high-scoring game. At +100, with a backup netminder in net, there’s a ton of potential here.

Pick: Over 6 (+100)

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