The Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers meet in NHL action from the Amerant Bank Arena on Wednesday night. Can the Stars bounce back in the Sunshine State? Or will the Panthers defend home ice? Let’s dive in and give a Stars vs. Panthers Prediction.
Dallas Stars Team Preview
The Dallas Stars come into this one looking to rebound from a 4-0 loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning last time out. Joe Pavelski leads the Stars in scoring with 24 points including a team-high 11 goals and 13 assists while Roope Hintz has 20 points with 8 goals and 12 assists. Jason Robertson has 22 points with a team-high 14 assists while Wyatt Johnson, Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn each have 17 points on the year. Jake Oettinger has posted an 10-5-2 record in goal for Dallas with a 2.53 GAA and a .915 save percentage while Scott Wedgewood is 4-1-1 with a 3.17 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
Dallas Stars Team Facts
- The Stars have won eight of their last 11 games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games against the Panthers following a road loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Stars’ last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Stars have won the third period in five of their last six games against the Panthers following a road loss.
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Florida Panthers Team Preview
The Florida Panthers come into this game on the heels of a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders last time out. Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in scoring with 29 points including a team-high 16 goals while Aleksander Barkov has 22 points with 7 goals and a team-high 15 assists. Carter Verhaeghe has 20 points with 11 goals and 9 assists while Matthew Tkachuk has 19 points with 15 assists of his own this season. Sergei Bobrovsky has posted a 11-6-1 mark with a 2.41 GAA and .912 save percentage in goal for Florida this season while Anthony Stolarz is 3-2-1 with a 2.34 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season.
Florida Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have lost each of their last three games as home favorites.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 12 games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in eight of the last nine games between the Stars and Panthers.
- The Panthers have lost the first period in each of their last seven night games against Central Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers ranks 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.54).
- The Florida Panthers ranks 2nd in the league for shots per game this season (34.1).
- The Dallas Stars ranks 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (88.75%).
- The Dallas Stars are one of four teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
Stars vs. Panthers Prediction
I’m on the Stars here. I know the Panthers are a tough out at home, but we’re getting a solid price on a Dallas team that plays their best hockey on the road. I trust the defense a lot more for the Stars right now as well, and Dallas has won 3 of the last 4 meetings. Give me Dallas in this one.
