Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our team here at Last Word on Hockey breaks down head-to-head matchups and other key elements that may influence the outcome of each game. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. This NHL Predictions article dives into the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs. Boston Bruins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Victory+, ESPN+
The Dallas Stars head to Boston to take on the Boston Bruins in their second game of a two-game road trip. The Stars saw several key players like defenceman Matt Dumba and forward Tyler Seguin return to the lineup but still suffered their second loss of the season. Buffalo jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and Dallas’ rally fell short on an empty netter after Seguin scored to cut the lead to one.
Boston became the first team to lose to the Nashville Predators this season, getting shutout 4-0. It was the first time they had been shutout this season, and it wasted a 38-save effort from goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
While Dallas’ record is impressive, both teams would like to be playing much better than they have so far. Boston leads the all-time series between the two clubs and has a distinct advantage at home. This is the first of two meetings between the franchises during the regular season.
Dallas Stars Story
Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer is looking to get his 618th career win, which would break a tie for 21st all-time. He is in his third season leading the Stars and has a 104-44-23 record since joining Dallas.
The Stars are coming off a road loss and began the season with six games in nine days. They are 5-2-0 entering Thursday’s matchup and 1-2-0 on the road this season. However, Dallas will be fully healthy for the first time this season entering this game, with nobody on the injury report.
The Stars have collected points in five of their last ten games against Boston but have not beaten the Bruins on the road since 2018. However, they do have their share of players who have had personal success against the Bruins. Forward Jason Robertson has a point in each of the five games he has played against Boston. Jamie Benn has ten points in 11 road games in Boston during his career.
Boston Bruins Story
Boston enters this game on a two-game losing streak, falling to 3-3-1 on the season. The Bruins have scored just once over their last two games. Leading scorer Cole Koepke collected his third goal of the year during the second period of Saturday’s game against Utah. Yet, the Bruins lost that game in overtime and have been outscored 6-0 over the last five periods (including overtime against Utah).
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman was locked in a battle for a contract extension until the beginning of the season. During his time with the Bruins, he has been one of the most consistently good goaltenders in the NHL. This year, he is 2-2-0 with a 2.77 goals-against average, but he has allowed at least two goals in four of his five appearances. Luckily, Boston has remained competitive with an offence that scores three goals-per-game.
NHL Prediction
Although Dallas has had some success against the Bruins in their rare meetings, it has not come in the TD Garden. Boston can be a difficult place for road teams to play, and Dallas has struggled in its few road games this season. The Stars have allowed at least three goals in each road game while only allowing three total goals at home. Boston has the advantage at home, especially with Dallas turning to Casey DeSmith in net.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
The over/under for this game is set at 5.5, according to Bet365, with the under at +100. Forward David Pastrnak scored four times in Boston’s first five games but hasn’t scored since. He’s at +120 to score in this one, and with Robertson’s success against Boston, +180 for him to score at any time makes sense as well. Props involving Jamie Benn in this game could be good as well.
Main Photo Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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