NHL Odds, Picks: Stars vs. Golden Knights Prediction & Preview (April 8)

Stars vs. Golden Knights Odds

The Vegas Golden Knights head to Texas to take on the Dallas Stars. Vegas is coming off a massive win and has taken a three-point lead in the Pacific Division. The Knights are red hot and have gone 7-1-2 in their past 10 games.

Dallas is also on a roll and has won its past two games, including a 4-1 beatdown against the Flyers. The Stars are 6-3-1 in their past 10 and are primed for the playoffs. The only question is, will they be the one, two or three seed in the Central? Things are getting tight.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as our prediction for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars.

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Vegas Golden Knights

Don’t look now, but Jack Eichel is on fire. The 26-year-old is on an eight-game point streak and seems to be back to his old self. All-Star Chandler Stephenson is also on a tear with points in his past five games (including three on Thursday). Vegas has also benefited greatly from vets in Alex Pietrangelo and Jonathan Marchessault. However, Vegas will be coming into this game shorthanded. Shea Theodore and William Carrier will be out, as well as All Star net-minder Logan Thompson.

Vegas has held strong over the past two weeks with its even strength attack. It’s 12th in expected goals with a 52.85 xGF%, but the power play needs work as it's just 2-for-18 since March 28.

A Bruce Cassidy coached team will always be solid on the defensive end. The Knights have fared well in the past six games (2.5 xGA/60), but the penalty kill is their kryptonite. They've allowed seven goals in their past 14 penalty kill opportunities.

Vegas' goaltending situation is certainly a head scratcher. Laurent Brossoit started Thursday, so perhaps Jonathan Quick will play Saturday. Quick has had a rough year and although he started hot upon his arrival in Sin City, he's come back down to Earth with an .895 SV%.

Dallas Stars

Jason Robertson is an alien — plain and simple. The superstar has 12 (!) points in his past four games. Additionally, veteran Jamie Benn is having a massive resurgence and Joe Pavelski has points in his past five games. Roope Hintz is also averaging over a point per game, which will make Dallas a tough out come playoff time.

Dallas has had a tremendous amount of success lately with its even-strength offense. Since March 27, the Stars are fourth with a 61.07 xGF% and boast the sixth-best power play, which scores 24.6% of the time.

No one has been better than the Stars on the defensive end over the past two weeks. They’ve played to a 1.53 xGA/60, while maintaining the third-best penalty kill (83.3%).

If history stays true, I’d expect Jake Oettinger to play Saturday. Throughout the past week, Oettinger is playing to a .923 SV%. He's also at +9.9 goals saved above expected (GSAx).

Stars vs. Golden Knights Pick

For as hot as Vegas has been, I think Dallas is the better team. The Stars have been virtually unstoppable on the defensive end. They're generating ample scoring chances and the goaltending is ramping up when it’s most important. Not only that, but the Knights’ penalty kill has been dreadful, giving a high-octane Stars power play a chance to take advantage.

I may have given an advantage to the Knights if they had their goaltending situation figured out. Quick is not who he used to be, and it’s uncertain when Thompson will return. Vegas has relied on their scoring for the most part, but that may not work as well against Dallas' defense.

Vegas has done well on the road, but I’m not trusting them in this bout. I think Dallas wins in regulation.

Pick: Dallas Stars 3-Way Line (+105)