NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Stars vs. Panthers (Jan. 14)

Stars vs. Panthers Odds

The Dallas Stars got the best of the Florida Panthers when these two teams met at the American Airlines Arena back on Jan. 6 when the Stars won 6-5 in a crazy game that finished in a shootout. The Stars have been hit by Covid-19, but they have been finding ways to get wins as of late and I think they can carry that momentum into Florida.

The Florida Panthers have been the best team on home ice all year long, but that may be inflating their price in this matchup.

The Stars Are Rising

People forget that the Dallas Stars played in the Stanley Cup Finals just two short years ago. This is still a very good team that has underachieved up until this point of the season. The way they've been playing lately, it would not surprise me to see this team in the playoffs come spring. With three wins from four — including victories over the Penguins and Panthers — the Stars seem to be rounding into form.

While the Panthers have been dominant at home, the Stars have struggled on the road. Dallas is 4-10-1 away from Big D.

With Braden Holtby in Covid-19 protocols, the Stars will roll with Jake Oettinger on Friday night. The Boston University product has been terrific this season with a 9-2-0 record and a +5.5 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).

The Stars will have their work cut out for them in this one, but we saw them keep up with Florida offensively on their own home ice, maybe this Dallas team has figured the Panthers out.

The Panthers Are Dominant at Home

The Panthers have a ridiculous record of 18-3-0 on home ice and they have been one of the most consistent teams all season long. Florida has looked very sharp in the new year, with their only loss coming in the aforementioned wild game against the Stars. The Panthers are 4-0-1 overall and 3-0 on home ice in 2022.

The Panthers are an elite team with very few flaws, but Florida's offense drives the bus. The Cats are scoring 3.92 goals per game and generating 13.54 high-danger chances per 60 minutes, which is the most in the league, while also tallying the most shots on goal, averaging 36.6 a game. The Panthers have scored a combined 20 goals in their last 4 games, they are buzzing.

As good as their offense has been, the Panthers do have some cracks on the defensive end. Florida's opponents are averaging 32.1 shots on goal per game, so their goalies have been getting tested night in and night out. Sergei Bobrovsky has been there to shut the door and he will most likely be the starter tonight.

Bobrovsky has been incredible all season long with a record of 17-3-3 on the year and a +15.8 GSAx.

Stars vs. Panthers Pick

I think this is a decent opportunity to sell high on the Panthers. The Stars are a solid team that is capable of shutting down opponents and keeping them to the perimeter. Additionally, Oettinger is more than capable of putting on a show.

The Stars also have the special teams advantage in this game. Dallas' power play is the sixth-best in the NHL (26.3%), while Florida's is 19th (19%). However, Florida does have the better penalty kill, converting 81.1% of the time, but Dallas isn't much worse than them as they are at 78.4%.

I think Dallas can pull off the upset.

Pick: Dallas Stars +165