NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Stars vs Devils (Saturday, January 20)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images. Pictured: Nico Daws #50 of the New Jersey Devils
Stars vs. Devils Odds
| Stars Odds | -134 |
| Devils Odds | +112 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -106o / -114u |
Here's everything you need to know about Stars vs. Devils on Saturday, Jan. 20 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
While the Dallas Stars continue to cruise toward what should be their third-straight playoff appearance, the New Jersey Devils, who boasted Stanley Cup aspirations heading into the season, find themselves outside the playoff picture just past the midway point of the season.
On Saturday night, these two teams face off for the first time this season in what should be an exciting battle between two of the NHL's highest-scoring teams.
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Stars vs. Devils prediction and pick.
Despite an ugly 15-shot showing against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, the Stars have generally played well as of late.
Dallas has won four of its last six games, and on the season, it owns the NHL’s seventh-best points percentage and fourth-best goal differential.
The Stars have been led by their offense all year. It scores 3.61 goals per game, the league’s third-highest mark. Before Thursday’s 5-1 loss, they had tallied at least three goals in 10 consecutive games.
Saturday’s contest in New Jersey marks the second of a four-game road trip for the Stars, who have thrived away from home this season with a 12-5-3 record.
While their offense has been the calling card, Dallas has excelled in the defensive zone when on the road, allowing 2.33 xGA/60, third-best in the NHL.
Dallas does enter this one with some injury concerns on the back end, though. Top defenseman Miro Heiskanen is traveling with the team and appears close to returning, but he has missed the last two weeks with a lower-body injury.
Additionally, backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who likely would have gotten the nod on Saturday, has been dealing with a lower-body injury. As a result, Dallas could turn to rookie netminder Matt Murray, who has just four career NHL appearances to his name, against the Devils.
Regardless, Dallas is a well-coached, veteran team. Look for them to bounce back.
(Hockey fans in The Tarheel State: North Carolina sports betting will be online this year, and you’ll soon be able to bet on the NHL legally at major sportsbooks. Learn more.)
The Devils’ dreadful injury luck appears to be finally catching up to them.
Already missing top defenseman Dougie Hamilton among several other key cogs, New Jersey’s play has slipped noticeably since losing superstar Jack Hughes on Jan. 5.
In five games without Hughes entering Friday, the Devils were 1-3-1. Unsurprisingly, they have struggled to generate offense at 5-on-5, notching just 10 total even-strength goals across those five games. The Devils’ xGF/60 over this stretch is just 2.38, which ranks 23rd in the NHL.
For a team that identifies as an offensive juggernaut and ranks seventh in the league with 3.43 goals per game, the recent scoring struggles are alarming.
Team defense and goaltending, on the other hand, have been an issue for the Devils all year. New Jersey ranks 28th in goals against per game and 30th in team save percentage on the season.
Their warts in these areas have been exacerbated in the absence of Hughes, though, as the Devils have allowed a league-high 15.84 HDCA/60 and the third-highest xGA/60 over the two weeks they have been without their most dynamic player.
Recently recalled goaltender Nico Daws, sporting a 2.89 GSAx in six starts, has done his best to provide some stability between the pipes, but New Jersey has failed to give him much support.
With the Devils missing several major contributors, it feels like they are a bit out of sorts structurally at the moment. Given their position in the standings, they are undoubtedly pressing, too.
Stars vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
I was tempted to pick Dallas outright in this game, but due to the lineup uncertainties, I’ll take the over instead.
The Devils’ leaky defensive-zone play as of late should allow for the Stars to generate plenty of scoring opportunities. Moreover, I expect Dallas to put an emphasis on getting pucks to the net after notching only one shot on goal in the first period on Thursday.
While we have already documented the Devils' recent offensive struggles, they are likely to face an unproven goalie with a career .885 save percentage. New Jersey should find a way to sneak some pucks past Murray. Thus, I’m expecting a high-scoring affair.
I'll play Over 6.5 at -106 on FanDuel, and I'll take it to -115.
Pick: Over 6.5 (-105 at FanDuel | Play to -115)
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