Stars Hoping To Put On A Show In Vegas

Sin City is synonymous with showtime and that’s just what Dallas has been doing in recent weeks. The Stars (13-7-2) have won seven straight games and are looking to set a new franchise record with an eighth consecutive victory. But it won’t be easy as the Golden Knights (14-10-0) are healthy again and are on a mini two-game win streak of their own.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Although they are as hot as fire right now, the Stars are a dog in this one. The Golden Knights opened as -145 favorites and the total is intriguing at 5.5. All seven of Dallas’s wins during their streak have gone UNDER. It should also be noted that in the last six head-to-head meetings between these clubs, five have gone UNDER with the other being a PUSH.

Dallas News & Notes

Dallas is getting it done at both ends of the ice, outscoring opponents 25-9 during its current win streak.  No line in the league is playing better right now than the unit of Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. Pavelski has nine points in his last five games, Hintz has 11 goals in his last 11 games and Robertson is on a six-game point streak, with eight points during that span.

Captain Jamie Benn broke out of a five-game scoring slump with three points in Monday’s win over Arizona. Getting him going makes Dallas that much more dangerous.

At the other end of the ice, Braden Holtby is having a bounce-back season at the age of 32, while Jake Oettinger is a perfect 5-0 with a 1.41 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage since being called up. That has left Anton Khudobin on the outside looking in.

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Vegas News & Notes

The Golden Knights are healthy again and it’s showing offensively. They sit sixth in the NHL in goals per game and have found the back of the net 41 times in their last 10 contests.

The return of Max Pacioretty has given them a huge boost. The winger has points in all five games since a 17-game absence due to a fractured foot. He has been reunited with Mark Stone, who is currently on a five-game point streak, and Chandler Stephenson, who leads the team with 24 points in 22 games. 

With Marc-Andre Fleury now in Chicago, Robin Lehner was supposed to grab the reins for Vegas and run with them. But that hasn’t been the case. Lehner has given up at least two goals in 10 straight starts and sits in the bottom half of the league in both GAA and save percentage.

How Dallas Will Win

The Dallas power play has been potent, running at 26.2 percent to rank fifth in the league. The Stars also haven’t allowed a short-handed goal this season but have to be wary against a Vegas squad that leads the league with six shorties. If Dallas wins the special teams battle, those laying money down on them should cash out.

How Vegas Will Win

If the Golden Knights want to end the Stars’ string of wins, they will need to start the game on time. Head coach Peter DeBoer said recently that his team’s starts have been an issue. They have given up 24 first-period goals, while Dallas has only given up 13 in the Sportsbook frame.

Computer Pick: Stars +120

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