Predators vs Stars Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Stars Strike Back vs Preds

It’s a Central Division clash at the American Airlines Center with the Dallas Stars hosting the Nashville Predators on Friday.

Dallas has the third seed in the division secure with an eight-point edge on Nashville. The Predators, meanwhile, are in the thick of the wild-card race in the Western Conference, and they just pulled off a 4-3 road upset over the Stars on Saturday.

While the Stars are a sizable home favorite in the NHL odds, they’ve been mediocre out of the holiday reset with a 4-3-1 record. The Preds sport a similar 3-3-1 mark.

These two teams also have question marks in goal. Dallas No. 1 Jake Oettinger is closing in on returning from a lower-body injury, while Nashville netminder Juuse Saros is in the midst of the worst season of his career.

Check out our preview and free NHL picks for the Predators vs. Stars matchup on Friday, January 12.

Predators vs Stars odds

Predators vs Stars predictions

The Dallas Stars are statistically superior to the Nashville Predators, and the gap is even wider recently. Big D is playing big-time hockey with the second-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.11), fewest expected goals against per 60 (1.69) and the third-highest Corsi For percentage (57.3%) at 5-on-5 across the past 10 games.

A 23rd-ranked .896 team SV% at 5-on-5 has held the Stars in check during the stretch. Again, goaltending has been a weak spot for the Predators recently, too. The Preds rank 27th with an .889 team SV% at 5-on-5 across their past 10, which is a particularly steep recent dropoff for Nashville because the Predators still sport an 11th-ranked .917 mark at 5-on-5 for the campaign. 

Additionally, while Nashville did win the most recent meeting, Dallas drove possession at 5-on-5 (55.1 CF%) and had a 64.4% share of the overall expected goals. Stars netminder Scott Wedgewood was beaten four times on just 22 shots, and that was the difference.

I’m anticipating Friday’s game to play out similarly with Dallas driving the play and generating more high-quality scoring chances. Only this time, the Stars should end up on the right side of the goaltending battle.

My best bet: Stars moneyline (-168 at Pinnacle)

Predators vs Stars same-game parlay

Stars moneyline

Joe Pavelski 1+ assists

+220 at bet365

In addition to my best bet, I’m backing the Joe Pavelski odds for him to pick up a helper. He ranks second on the Stars in assists per 60 minutes (2.03) over the past three seasons and hasn’t recorded one in five consecutive games despite skating on the No. 1 line and top power-play unit.

The veteran skates with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson in all situations, and the trio have been on the ice together for 45 goals (5.6 per 60) this year. Additionally, Hintz (1.62) and Robertson (1.7) pace the Stars in goals per 60 over the past three years.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Predators vs Stars moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Pinnacle -168 moneyline price is an industry best, with bet365 juicing Dallas all the way to -180. Interestingly, Pinnacle did open at Dallas -182, and the Stars were trading at -158 early Friday morning before buyback on the home team came in.

With Dallas ranking fourth in offense and fifth in defense in my ratings compared to Nashville respectively checking out at 16th and 21st, I view the opening -182 as a more accurate price than the available -168.

This total is a consensus 6.5, and there has been limited movement to the prices on either side. There also isn’t a consensus side carrying the higher vig. FanDuel has the Under priced a -115, while bet365 has the Over at -115. Additionally, SIA has both sides at -110. 

The importance of price shopping and having multiple sportsbooks available to take advantage of the price gaps is on full display in this game.

Predators vs Stars betting trend to know

Dallas has beaten Nashville in five of their last six meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs. Stars.

Predators vs Stars game info

Predators vs Stars latest injuries

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