Stars vs. Kings Odds
| Stars Odds | -122 |
| Kings Odds | +102 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (+108/-132) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
In Tuesday's nightcap on ESPN, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Pacific Division's Los Angeles Kings hosting the Central Division's Dallas Stars.
When these two clubs meet, low-scoring contests are typically in store with six or fewer total goals scored in seven of their last 10 meetings.
Will we get another low-scoring affair, or can the offense pick It up this time around?
Oettinger in Net for Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars have been involved in many low-scoring contests recently with six or fewer total goals scored in seven of their last 10 games. This trend should continue on Tuesday as goaltender Jake Oettinger is projected to start between the pipes for Dallas.
Continuing his dominant play from last year's playoffs, Oettinger has been terrific in net this season. Through 28 appearances in the crease, he is 17-5-3 with a .921 save percentage (SV%) and 2.36 goals against average (GAA).
Entering this game in particularly great form, Oettinger is 4-0 with a .935 SV% and 1.75 GAA over his last four starts. There were six or fewer total goals scored in three of those four outings.
This stellar play will likely continue against the Kings, a team he has fared well against. Across two career starts against Los Angeles, Oettinger boasts a .929 SV% and 2.56 GAA.
In front of the Stars' netminder is an underrated blue line that is deeper than just superstar Miro Heiskanen. At 5-on-5, Dallas ranks 11th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Los Angeles Kings Relying on Resurgent Goaltender
Like Dallas, the Los Angeles Kings have been involved in many low-scoring contests recently as there have been six or fewer total goals scored in nine of their last 12 games. Also like Dallas, the Kings boast a terrific blue line, which ranks sixth in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
Backing up this stellar defense is goaltender Pheonix Copley, who is having a resurgent year in his first season with Los Angeles. Through nine starts, he is 8-1 with a .905 SV% and 2.58 GAA.
Based on his metrics, an even stronger second half of the season is likely in store for the soon-to-be 31-year-old netminder. If he qualified, Copley would rank fifth among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.
In his lone career start against the Stars, Copley stopped 27 of 29 pucks for a .931 SV%. However, goal support may be an issue as this group has been inconsistent in the scoring department all year.
At 5-on-5, the Kings rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Stars vs. Kings Pick
The trends all point toward the under, and this situation should be a strong candidate for those to continue. Copley has been a wonderful surprise in net this season for a team that needed strong goaltending.
Meanwhile, it is no surprise that Oettinger continues to deliver night-in and night-out for Dallas as he continues to develop into one of the league's strongest netminders. It also benefits these goaltenders that both defenses are strong and suppress high-danger scoring chances at an elite level.
I am laying a bit more juice to take the under at 6.5 because a 4-2 game is definitely a plausible scenario considering some of the snipers on each team, but the under at 6 would also be a good play.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-132) | Play up to (-145)
