Our next NHL score prediction features a monumental mismatch on paper among the NHL games as the second-best team in the Western Conference battles the worst from the East.
Monday night’s slate includes this matchup between the Dallas Stars (18-8-6, 9-5-3 Away) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-18-2, 8-10-1 Home) with a puck-drop scheduled for 7:00 pm EST from Nationwide Arena in Ohio.
First Time Facing Each Other This Season
There is a 20-point difference between these two NHL teams as they get set to face off for the first time this season.
Dallas and Columbus will meet just one more time after Monday when the Blue Jackets repay the visit to Dallas in mid-February. Continue reading for our Stars vs Blue Jackets score prediction.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets Matchup Preview
The Jackets and Stars split their two head-to-head meetings a year ago, with both coming before the calendar turned to 2022, with each successfully defending their home ice.
So far, it appears as if Columbus will miss out on the playoffs again after finishing 19 points behind the final spot last season, while Dallas finished in seventh in the West.
The two clubs met eight times overall during the 2020-21 season that was largely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Stars dominating the season series 5-2-1.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets Odds Breakdown
When considering our NHL picks, the Stars are the heavy favorite on Monday night, laying 1.5 goals with an over/under of 6.5. Dallas is -225 on the moneyline while Columbus is +195.
There is nothing notable to report on the NHL injury report. Read on to see our Stars vs Blue Jackets score prediction.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets Betting Preview
Dallas Stars
As noted, the Stars are sitting pretty at the moment, just three points behind Vegas for the top spot in the West.
Looking at the Dallas Stars schedule, they’ve won four out of their last six and even though they fell to Carolina their last time out on Saturday, both of their defeats over the last week have come by just one goal, including an overtime finish to the Panthers.
Stars at the NHL Player
Check out NHL player stats as Dallas is led by Jason Robertson, who is third in the NHL in goals (23) and fifth in total points (46).
The 23-year-old winger is also top five in plus/minus, a category led by his teammate Joe Pavelski.
As a team, the Stars are tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth-most goals per game with 3.59.
They’re on the final leg of a five-game road trip, their longest swing of the season thus far, before returning home for two games prior to the short holiday break.
Blue Jackets Preview
Columbus remains in a tailspin and a funk that began when the season opened. The Jackets have dropped three straight and six of their last eight overall.
Columbus has endured four separate losing skids of at least three games, with the longest being five, as the calendar flipped from October to November.
Blue Jackets’ Standings
When checking the Blue Jackets standings, only Anaheim and Chicago are beneath them.
The Blue Jackets are fifth from the bottom in terms of goals per game and overall points, while their 13 power-play goals rank dead last in the NHL standings.
Most of the offensive production so far this season has come from Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner. Gaudreau leads the team in points and assists and is one goal behind Jenner for the team lead.
However, Gaudreau and Jenner combined (22) are still one goal behind Dallas’ Robertson heading into Monday night’s game.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets Pick and Prediction
The puck line might actually present some value in this one, considering that in Dallas’ five wins, three of them have come by one goal.
Plus, as we mentioned, this is the final game of a five-game roadie, and the last time Dallas played at least four consecutive games on the road, they lost their final NHL matchup.
Who to Bet On?
Dallas is the better team, and they should come out on top, but don’t expect it to be the biggest mismatch on the NHL schedule, as it would indicate.
The Jackets will be hungry to snap out of their losing skid, but they’ll come up just short at home before they head to Philly on Tuesday for a back-to-back. Below is our final Stars vs Blue Jackets score prediction.
Final Score Prediction: Blue Jackets 4-3 Dallas Stars
NHL Pick: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-110)
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