Squaring off for the final time this season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas Stars collide at the American Airlines Center. This East-West matchup will get going at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29 and it’s being shown live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars Odds
Dallas (-225) is tabbed as the favorite over Detroit (+185) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
The Stars are 19-19 straight-up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -1.3 units) thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Central Division in this young season, is right in line with the 42-40 record the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 38 regular season matches, 21 have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team is 11-6 SU at home this year.
Dallas has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
Dallas, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its past five matchups total, and 3.4 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 7.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 26.7 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Ben Bishop (12-11-1) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Stars this season. If they choose to give him a breather, however, the team may turn to Anton Khudobin (8-10-10 record, .920 save percentage, 2.63 goals against average).
Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn will each lead the charge for the Stars. Seguin (32 points) has tallied 11 goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points in eight different games this year. Benn has 15 goals and 15 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 21 contests.
On the visitors’ side of the ice, Detroit is 15-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 39 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. Detroit’s 7-12 SU as an away team this season.
Detroit has converted on 18.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully defended 77.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their past five match ups. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (29.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Detroit. Howard owns a 10-15-4 record, and has registered a .921 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Red Wings will be Dylan Larkin (16 goals, 21 assists) and Gustav Nyquist (nine goals, 23 assists).
Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in four of Dallas’ last five outings.
- The Red Wings are 2-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-12 when they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
- Detroit (2-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Dallas has yet to participate in one this year.
- Dallas has created 7.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 7.1 takeaways per game (ranked 21st in the NHL).
- Detroit has averaged 2.3 goals per game, while allowing 4.0, over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
- Detroit skaters have managed 5.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 6.4 takeaways per game (ranked 26th in the NHL).
