After a shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars (1-0-1, 4th in Central Division) are aiming to shine brighter as they clash with the Anaheim Ducks (1-1, 5th in Pacific Division). The Ducks are soaring high after a 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. This faceoff promises to be an exciting showdown that no NHL bettor should miss.

Stars in the Twilight Zone

The Dallas Stars are currently 4th in the Central Division at a very early stage of the season. Their recent 3-2 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights was a mixed bag. On one hand, the Stars showcased a robust defense, particularly in the form of goalie Jake Oettinger. His goals-against average of 1.39 and a save percentage of .948 are numbers any NHL goalie would love to have. Oettinger has been the cornerstone of the Stars’ defense, and his performance will be crucial throughout the season.

However, the Stars’ offense has been less than stellar. Joe Pavelski is one of three players for the Stars that have scored one goal each. Five players have assisted on one goal as the Stars have struggled to put the puck in the net. The power play unit has failed to convert any opportunities, registering a 0.0% success rate. The absence of better goal scoring puts extra pressure on the defense and Oettinger, making it difficult to win close games.

The Stars need to find a way to capitalize on scoring opportunities and finish more plays, especially late in games when the outcome is on the line or in overtime when one shot can make or break the game.

The penalty kill has been the silver lining, neutralizing all power-play opportunities faced. This defensive prowess will be put to the test against the Ducks, who, despite their own power play struggles, have shown they can score. As the Stars prepare for this road game, the key will be to jump-start their offense while maintaining their strong play in front of the goal.

Ducks Taking Flight

The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a high, thanks to a 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Frank Vatrano’s hat trick in that game was a spark that helped lead the Ducks to the win. Vatrano, who had a career-high 41 points last season, has started this season on a strong note and will be a player to watch.

However, the Ducks’ power play has been a point of concern. Despite scoring six goals in their last game, none came from a man advantage, leaving their power play conversion at a dismal 0.0%. This inefficiency could be a significant handicap against a team like the Stars, who have a flawless penalty kill record so far.

On the defensive end, goalie Lukas Dostal made 32 saves in the last game. Dostal is 1-0-0 with a 3.02 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Dostal shares time in goal with veteran John Gibson, who is 0-1-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .919 SV%. The Ducks’ penalty kill has been less than impressive, with a success rate of just 66.7%. This could be a potential Achilles’ heel, especially against teams with potent power play units.

The Ducks have the advantage of playing at home, where they recently showcased their offensive firepower. The crowd at the Honda Center can be a significant factor, providing the team with the extra push they often need. As they prepare to host the Stars, the Ducks will aim to maintain their offensive form while working on tightening their special teams, particularly the penalty kill unit.

David’s Pick – Anaheim Ducks (+180)

The Stars may have a solid defense and strong penalty kill, but will be up against a Ducks team that has shown it can score in bunches. The Ducks have the home-ice advantage and a crowd that can act as their twelfth man. While both teams have struggled with the power play, the Ducks have shown more offensive firepower, and that could be the difference-maker in this game. The Stars are still working on improving offensive production, and until that’s found, Dallas will struggle over the long run. The Ducks, on the other hand, have shown they can light the lamp. I expect the Ducks to use their home-ice advantage and offensive prowess to secure a win in this game between Western Conference rivals.