Stars vs Penguins Odds
| Stars Odds | -130 |
| Penguins Odds | +108 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +100 / -122 |
Fresh off a home win in overtime, the Dallas Stars head to the Steel City to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Stars have secured a point in every game they’ve played and will look to continue the streak against a Penguins team hoping to get back on the wagon.
Conversely, Pittsburgh has lost two straight games. It’s been a disappointing start to the season and a win in front of the home crowd may be just what the doctor ordered.
Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins betting prediction.
Dallas Stars
Since last season, Dallas has been a team I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching. Seeing this young core of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen grow has been a joy. To go with that, seeing how they’ve blended well with vets Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin is what’s made this team so special.
Every side of the puck has been clicking. Offensively, Dallas has driven play extraordinarily and is fifth in expected goals with a 57.03 xGF%. As hard as it is to imagine, the defense have been even better (2.03 xGA/60).
Last year, the Stars’ power play was among the league’s best. However, this year, they've been stuffed and are scoring just 14% of the time. I expect it to get better as the season progresses. They have done a great job of staying out of the box and when they find themselves shorthanded, they've converted 100% of the time.
Goaltending is another major strength. In his short career, Jake Oettinger has solidified himself as a top-10 goalie in the league. So far, Oettinger has continued that trend, posting a .943 SV% and a +2.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are a curious case for me. Adding Erik Karlsson to the blue line has been huge. He's worked well with the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. However, I’m weary of the long-term effects this team will endure. This forward group is very old, but has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years. This is definitely a team to watch down the road.
Yes, the Penguins have struggled in the win column, but both sides of the puck have contributed. They have the second-most efficient offense and are driving play at a 58.09 xGF%. Defensively, they’ve held their own as well with a 2.43 xGA/60.
When your top power play is led by three of the greatest Penguins in history, it’s going to be elite. But this year, they’ve struggled to get going and have only scored twice in 13 tries. The penalty kill has also been pretty decent and is succeeding at an 80% rate.
Tristan Jarry is in the first year of his new five-year deal, but it hasn’t been a smooth start. The former All Star netminder is posting suboptimal numbers with an .892 SV% and a -1.6 GSAx. I wonder if Alex Nedeljkovic will get a nod, but I'm assuming Pittsburgh wants Jarry to get some momentum.
Stars vs. Penguins
Betting Pick & Prediction
The problem the Penguins have faced is their goaltending. Aside from that, they’ve been playing exceptionally on both sides of the puck. Facing a juggernaut like the Stars may not help create any potential momentum for the Penguins.
A glaring hole in the Stars' lineup comes from Robertson. The sniper and two-time 40-goal scorer has yet to light the lamp this season. This seems like the right opportunity to get off the snide, don’t you think? I’m looking at him to score a goal in this game at +165.
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