In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 30th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 4-4-2 this year after they defeated Nashville by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 3-2 in the third period, but they scored two empty net goals to put the game away. The Lightning out shot Nashville by a total of 32-20, won 33.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Girgensons (2), Hagel, Kucherov, and D’Astous, while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 18 out of 20 shots, which was a .900 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Golden Knights by a score of 2-1 and the Ducks by a score of 4-3. The Lightning have won three games in a row and they are currently tied for last in the Atlantic standings with 10 points. Tampa Bay has scored 2.90 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 14.3% on the power play and 88.2% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with four goals and six assists, while Jake Guentzel has also added four goals and six assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 2-3-2 with a 2.86 goals against average and an .893 save percentage this year.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars are 6-3-1 this season after they defeated Washington by a score of 1-0 in their last game. Dallas scored the only goal in the game just 43 seconds into the second period, which was enough for the shutout win. The Stars were out shot by a total of 24-19, won 55.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Dallas got their lone goal from Seguin, while Jake Oettinger stopped all 24 shots in the shutout victory.
Prior to that game, Dallas defeated the Predators by a score of 3-2 and the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2. The Stars have won three games in a row and they are currently fourth in the Central standings with 13 points. Dallas has scored 2.80 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 31.4% on the power play and 71.0% on the penalty kill this season. Mikko Rantanen has led Dallas with four goals and eight assists, while Wyatt Johnston has added six goals and four assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who is 5-2-1 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this season.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The Lightning have won each of their last five home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Stars have lost four of their last five games at Benchmark International Arena following a win.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in eight of their last 10 games as home favorites following a road win.
- The Stars have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Lightning have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a road win.
- The Stars have won four of their last five road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight home games.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Lightning have lost the third period in seven of their last eight home games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Stars’ last six games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Twelve of the Lightning’s last 15 home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last 14 games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 10 home games against opponents on a winning streak.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Cirelli has scored at least one goal in four of the Lightning’s last five games against the Stars.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 11 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last 11 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one point in 10 of the Stars’ last 11 games.
- Thomas Harley has recorded at least one assist in four of the Stars’ last five road games.
- Jason Robertson has scored a goal in each of the Stars’ last three games as underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank T27th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.29%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (88.24%).
- The Dallas Stars rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (31.43%).
- The Dallas Stars rank 3rd in the league for power play goals this season (11).
Lightning vs Stars Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup looking to extend their three game winning streaks, but only one will get to four here. The Lightning are 2-3-0 at home this year, while the Stars are 3-1-0 on the road. Dallas has allowed two regulation goals or fewer in four straight games and they have one of the better power plays in the NHL. Tampa Bay has been pretty solid on defense as well and their penalty kill is operating above 88% right now. Take the under in this matchup with how each side is playing defensively right now.