The Dallas Stars (25-7-5) and Detroit Red Wings (21-13-3) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. EST at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Stars are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-110o / -110u). The Stars are a -130 favorite to win outright, while the Red Wings are +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Stars vs. Red Wings predictions and NHL picks.
Stars vs. Red Wings Odds, Pick
| Stars Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +200 | 6 -110o / -110u | -130 |
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -245 | 6 -110o / -110u | +110 |
- Stars vs. Red Wings Spread: Stars -1.5 (+200), Red Wings +1.5 (-245)
- Stars vs. Red Wings Over/Under: 6 (-110o / -110u)
- Stars vs. Red Wings Moneyline: Stars -130, Red Wings +110
Stars vs. Red Wings Preview
Dallas Stars
The Stars have proven that road games won’t faze them. They have been victorious in four of the past five road games they’ve played in, including a jaunting 8-3 victory in Anaheim.
You can’t talk about the Stars, though, without mentioning their three-headed monster in Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston all with at least 40 points.
And what’s crazy is that’s not including Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen.
It’s a beautifully built team that executes how it’s supposed to. However, despite their 8-2-1 record in the month of December, Dallas is actually participating at 5-on-5 offense with a 48.88 xGF%.
Its defense has held up well, though, as it’s playing to a 2.69 xGA/60.
There isn’t a better team on special teams either. The Stars have the second-best power play, scoring at a 31.3% clip, along with a fifth-best penalty kill, succeeding 84% of the time.
Expect to see Jake Oettinger start tonight. Otter has been a marvel all season, but even if Casey Desmith starts as well, that doesn’t put Dallas at a disadvantage.
I still think Oettinger gets the nod. He’s been posting a .910 SV% and a third-best 12.9 GSAx in the past 10 games.
Detroit Red Wings
Anyone have the Red Wings as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference when the season started?
I certainly didn’t.
But hey, the talent was clear on this roster; it was just about converting it into something tangible. Obviously, the season is still young, but this team has come out with exceptional wins over the season, including going 4-1-1 on a West Coast trip.
Alex DeBrincat is looking like the type of player who made a stir in free agency a few seasons ago. In December, he has already registered four separate multi-point games.
Todd McLellan has his boys rolling this month, playing to an eighth-best 5-on-5 expected goals, with a 51.91 xGF% and a 2.73 xGA/60.
Not only that, the power play has been converting at a high level, ranking eighth, and the penalty kill has been a stalwart, succeeding at an 81% clip.
I will continue to worry about goaltending, though. John Gibson has improved mightily, with wins in seven straight games, but I’d have to imagine that regression is coming sooner or later.
Stars vs. Red Wings Prediction
Why don’t we get crazy here?
Both of these teams are very evenly matched, even though Dallas has the clear advantage in net.
But is it so much of an advantage when Gibson has been playing like he was when he was in his prime?
In reality, Dallas would probably be the ideal pick, and it still holds significant value, especially since the Stars are 12-5-1 at home, but I feel like taking a shot here.
Both 5-on-5 play and special teams are also pretty evenly matched, so there’s not much else that I can really say. I think this ends up being a tight-knit game up until the final buzzer. And maybe we get a last-minute goal to make things interesting?
Who knows, but I think this game makes waves and heads into overtime.
Pick: Tied After Regulation +300
