Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas continues its eight-game homestand as the New Jersey Devils come to town. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. EST.
New Jersey brings a 31-13-4 record (66 points) into tonight’s contest. The Devils are led by Jack Hughes offensively. Hughes has tallied a team-high 31 goals and 62 points this season. Nico Hischier’s 21, and Jesper Bratt’s 19 goals round out Jersey’s top three. Bratt and Hischier also rank second and third in points with 49 and 46 respectively. Dougie Hamilton (45) is the only New Jersey skater with more than 30 points. Vitek Vanecek has been solid in the net for the Devils this season. The 27-year-old is 20-5-2 with a 2.30 goals against average, and a .916 save percentage in 31 games.
Dallas sits first in the Central Division with a 28-13-9 record (65 points) entering tonight. Jason Robertson has been the Stars best player by far thus far. Robertson has a team-high 33 goals, 33 assists, and 66 points. Roope Hintz, and Jamie Benn are tied for second on Dallas in goals with 19 each. Joe Pavelski’s 47 points rank him second on the team, while Hintz’s 45 rounds out the top three. Jake Oettinger continues his fantastic season in the net. The 24-year-old is 21-7-6 with a 2.24 GAA and a .924 SV% in 37 games.
The series between the Stars and Devils has been one-sided towards Dallas in recent memory. That includes the first meeting this season, as Dallas won 4-1. Tonight’s projected starting goaltenders are Vanecek for New Jersey and Oettinger for Dallas.
Prediction: Dallas 4, New Jersey 2
This is another game with the potential to be the best of the night, with two teams with 65 and 66 points facing off. I give the edge to Dallas, solely based on Oettinger and Robertson. Oettinger is cementing himself as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, while Robertson has become a player who can win a game by himself. Stars win a good one here.
Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook
Spread- New Jersey Devils +1.5 (-195) / Dallas Stars -1.5 (+165)
Moneyline- New Jersey Devils +135 / Dallas Stars -160
Total- 6.0 – Over (-110) / Under (-110)
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