A pair of teams that have put themselves squarely in the playoff picture, the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars meet at the American Airlines Center for a divisional matchup. The matchup gets started at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, and you’ll be able to witness the game live on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.
St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars Odds
Dallas (+115) is entering this one as the underdog to Dallas (-135), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
St. Louis is 23-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.5 units this year. 24 of its games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Blues team is 11-8 SU on the road.
St. Louis has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and the teams successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, St. Louis has been sent to the penalty box just 3.6 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its last five outings total, and 3.6 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jake Allen (18-14-2) has been the best option in goal for St. Louis this year. If head coach Mike Yeo decides to rest him, however, St. Louis could go with Carter Hutton (6-4), who has a .948 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average this year.
The visiting Blues have relied on Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko heavily this year. Schenn has 40 points via 17 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded two or more points 10 times. Tarasenko has 15 goals and 21 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 22 games.
Dallas is 20-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 21 of its matches have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the teams 12-5 SU at home.
Dallas has converted on 19.8 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 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Dallas players have been sent to the penalty box 4.4 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to defend opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Ben Bishop (25.5 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for Dallas. Bishop has 15 wins, 14 losses, and two OT losses and has registered a pedestrian 2.67 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Tyler Seguin (18 goals, 16 assists).
St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Dallas last five games.
- St. Louis has managed 27.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Dallas is averaging 34.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Power-play opportunities may play a critical role tonight. The Blues are 11-7 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-11 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Stars are 10-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-7 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Two of Dallas last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this season.
- Dallas is ranked 24th overall this season with 6.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as it has forced 5.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.0 takeaways over its last five.
- St. Louis is ranked 12th in the league with 7.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as the team has forced 7.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 takeaways over its last five.
