A couple of teams that have put themselves firmly in the playoff hunt, the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars meet at the American Airlines Center for a Western Conference showdown. This one will get going at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31 and it will air live on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars Odds
Dallas (-135) is currently favored over San Jose (+115) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Dallas is 21-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a huge turnaround from what the team did during the 2016-17 season (34-48). Through 39 regular season outings, 22 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team is 13-5 SU at home.
The Stars have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.
The Stars, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.8 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Ben Bishop (16 wins, 14 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for Dallas this season. If the Stars decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Ken Hitchcock could go with Kari Lehtonen (6-7-7 record, .907 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
The Stars will continue to rely on leadership via Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Benn (35 points) has tallied 16 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points seven times this year. Seguin has 18 goals and 16 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 24 contests.
On the other side of the ice, San Jose is 20-15 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 35 regular season contests, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Sharks are 8-7 SU.
The Sharks have converted on 22.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.1 percent of all penalties.
San Jose’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Martin Jones (2.48 goals against average and .917 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 26.0 saves per game and owns a 13-12-4 record.
For the visiting Sharks, the offense will be facilitated by Joe Thornton (seven goals, 19 assists) and Logan Couture (15 goals, 11 assists).
San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Dallas last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone over in four of Dallas last five games.
