The Nashville Predators play their second official home game but their actual home opener at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, October 13, as they host the Dallas Stars. Nashville started the season in the Czech Republic and won a pair of games against the San Jose Sharks, one of which was considered a home game. The Stars, meanwhile, begin their NHL schedule in hopes of making the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Last Game Records
As the season is just beginning and these teams have several fresh faces, there’s not much prior history to go on for Stars vs. Predators betting. Nashville is 2-0, picking up a pair of victories in the Czech Republic against the San Jose Sharks. They opened the season with a 4-1 win over the Sharks last Friday and followed that up with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.
While Dallas hasn’t begun its season, the team had some tough NHL matchups in the exhibition season. Dallas finished the preseason with a 2-5 record in the preseason, punctuated by a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild in its final game on Saturday.
Matchup Information
- Start Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Stars at Predators Betting Analysis
Dallas Stars
Dallas is looking to get its season off on the right foot with a season-opening victory in the Stars vs. Predators betting matchup Thursday. The Stars finished the preseason with a 2-5 record. Offseason signing Mason Marchment led the team’s NHL player stats in goals (3) and points (4).
While it’s only preseason, there is cause for concern for Stars veterans Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Neither player registered a point in a combined seven preseason games. Benn, a former Art Ross Trophy winner, had just 46 points in 82 games last season, while Seguin had 49 points in 81 games.
Jason Robertson, Dallas’ leading goal scorer last season, finally signed a contract extension with the team last week but didn’t appear in any exhibition games. He has, however, been practicing and is expected to play Thursday. Robertson scored 41 goals in 74 games last season.
Nashville Predators
Nino Niederreiter, an under-the-radar offseason signing by Nashville, leads the Predators’ stats with three goals through two games. He scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in Nashville’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory on Saturday.
Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen split the two games in the Czech Republic for the Predators. Saros, who is expected to start Thursday, stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 4-1 Predators victory last Friday.
This is the first of a home-and-home set for the Stars vs. Predators betting. Dallas hosts Nashville for its home opener on Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
Stars at Predators Betting Preview
BetOnline has the Predators as the -135 moneyline favorites, with the Dallas Stars at +122 as the betting underdog. The over/under is set at 5.5, with the over at -115 odds and the under at +104. Neither team is expected to have a top-10 offense this season, and both Saros and Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger should be among the best goaltenders in the Western Conference. Still, there’s usually a higher amount of goals scored earlier in the season, so the over could be an attractive bet.
Stars at Predators Betting Prediction
As a general rule, try not to bet against the home team in its home opener. That certainly applies here, considering all other factors for Stars vs. Predators betting. Dallas wasn’t at all impressive during the preseason, so don’t expect many Stars betting picks here.
Saros could be one of the best goaltenders in the league this season and will continue his stellar play from the first game of the year. Dallas has some offensive weapons in Joe Pavelski and Robertson, but it’s going to take some time for the latter to find his game after missing the preseason while awaiting a new contract.
Nashville outscored Dallas 11-8 in four games last season and won the season series 2-1-1. Expect that trend to continue in Nashville’s home opener and hammer the Predators’ moneyline at -135.
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