Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas begins a six-game road trip with a stop in Buffalo to face the Sabres. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. EST.
The Stars bring a 34-17-13 record (81 points) into tonight’s game and sit first in the Central Division. Dallas is tied with the Minnesota Wilds atop the division but have played one less game. The Stars also sit five points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche and six points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets. Jason Robertson has been Dallas’ best player this season. Robertson leads the team in goals with 38 assists with 42 and points with 80. Roope Hintz sits second in both goals (38) and points (59) while Jamie Benn sits third in both categories with 26 goals and 57 points. Jake Oettinger has been fantastic in net this season with a 26-9-10 record, 2.36 goals against average and .922 save percentage in 48 games.
The Sabres enter tonight with a 32-27-4 record (68 points) and sit sixth in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo is five points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. There is heavy traffic all around the Sabres as well with the team sitting one point ahead of Detroit, two points behind the Florida Panthers and in a tie with the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators. Tage Thompson has been Buffalo’s best player this season with 42 goals and 83 points. Alex Tuch’s 28 goals rank him second on the team, while he is fourth in points with 62. Jeff Skinner and Rasmus Dahlin are tied for second on the Sabres with 63 points each. Eric Comrie was the first goaltender off the ice this afternoon. Comrie carries an 8-8-0 record with a 3.56 GAA and an .885 SV% in 16 games into tonight.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season after splitting two meetings last season. Tonight’s projected starting goaltenders are Oettinger for Dallas and Comrie for Buffalo.
Prediction: Dallas 4, Buffalo 3
The Sabres need to stabilize itself before it is too late. The East does not allow for a team to have a prolonged losing streak followed by mediocre play. Unfortunately for Buffalo, its schedule will remain difficult the rest of the year, and the Stars are a top team in the West. Dallas will score with Buffalo and features a better defense and much better goaltender. That will push the Stars over the edge tonight.
Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook
Spread – Buffalo Sabres +1.5 (-185) / Dallas Stars -1.5 (+155)
Moneyline – Buffalo Sabres +145 / Dallas Stars -170
Total – 6.5 – Over (-110) / Under (-110)
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