Two of the most frequently-penalized clubs in the league, the Dallas Stars and the Anaheim Ducks take the ice at the Honda Center in a Western Conference showdown. Fox Sports Southwest will air the game, and the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 21.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks Odds
Dallas is 34-25 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.1 units this year. Through 59 regular season contests, 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team in 2017-18, the Stars are 13-15 SU.
Dallas has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and the teams successfully killed off 82.4 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Stars have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over its last ten contests. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .916 save percentage and 25.9 saves per game, Ben Bishop (24-21-3) has been the best option in goal for Dallas this year. If it decides to rest him, however, Dallas could roll with Kari Lehtonen (11-9-1), who has a .920 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
John Klingberg and Alexander Radulov will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Stars. Klingberg (54 points) has tallied seven goals and 47 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 13 different games. Radulov has 21 goals and 32 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 36 games).
Anaheim is 30-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 61 regular season contests, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 15-13 SU at home this season.
The Ducks have converted on just 17.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim skaters have been called for penalties 4.5 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (29.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for the Ducks. Gibson has 23 wins, 23 losses, and seven OT losses and has registered a 2.51 goals against average and a .925 save percentage this year.
Rickard Rakell (22 goals, 26 assists) will pace the attack for the Ducks.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of Anaheim’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 4-6 overall in shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in each of Anaheim’s last five games.
- Anaheim has allowed 2.8 goals per game overall this year, but has allowed just 1.3 per contest over its three-game winning streak.
- The Ducks this season have recorded the sixth-most hits per game (24.3), but the teams averaged 28.4 over their last five games as the home team.
