Stars vs Penguins Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Goals Pile Up in Pittsburgh

The Dallas Stars will try to cool off the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins when these two teams meet at PPG Paints Arena on Monday night.

The Stars were taken to overtime in each of their last two tilts but won them both, topping the Senators and Red Wings. The Penguins have won five in a row and 10 of their last 12 coming into this one. 

Who's winning streak will be stopped in Pittsburgh? Read our NHL picks and predictions for Stars vs. Penguins below to find out.

Stars vs Penguins best odds

Stars vs Penguins picks and predictions

Both the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins are playing an exciting brand of hockey lately, and that trend should continue Monday night.

Pittsburgh has scored 48 goals over its current 10-1-1 run for exactly 4.00 goals per game. Playing no small part in this incredible stanza of success is Sidney Crosby, who is fresh off a three-point game (two goals, one assist) against the Sabres on Saturday. At age 35, Crosby not only leads the Penguins in points (38) but also paces the NHL in 5-on-5 points (31). 

But it could be argued that Crosby isn’t even the hottest skater on his team right now. Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin each have at least one point in all five games Pittsburgh has played in December, with the former’s streak extending two games back into November. The pair has combined for three goals and 16 assists in that span. 

The Stars have an equally-dynamic offensive duo in Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, who began December by exchanging hat-tricks. 

Robertson was in the midst of what turned out to be an 18-game point-scoring streak, but he was kept off the scoresheet on both Dec. 6 and Dec. 8. He started what could be a new streak on Saturday against the Red Wings with an assist. With 42 points on the campaign, he trails only Connor McDavid (54 points) and Leon Draisaitl (46 points) in the Art Ross race. 

Dallas has scored at least four goals in 14 of their last 18 contests – not surprising for the NHL’s No. 3-ranked team by goals per game (3.8). They tend to make hay on the power play, ranking eighth in conversion rate (25.3%). 

The Over may be worth waiting on a bit, as some books are offering -130 on the Under, and may soon drop the line to 6.0. As it stands now, taking Over 6.5 at even money is more than tempting.

My best bet: Over 6.5 (+100 at Caesars)

Stars vs Penguins moneyline analysis

Despite the Penguins’ hot streak raging on, NHL odds are not hanging too imposing a price on their moneyline. Adding a Pittsburgh victory to the docket is appealing.

Pens goalie Tristan Jarry might be the only reason this game doesn’t go completely crazy from a scoring perspective, as he owns a 1.72 goals against average and a .948 save percentage over his last eight outings. 

Another reliable veteran that’s powering the Penguins this year is 35-year-old Kris Letang, who just returned to the lineup on Saturday only 12 days after suffering a stroke. The inspirational blueliner led the Penguins in ice time that night (22:14) while recording seven hits and three blocked shots.

Letang typically serves as Pittsburgh’s power-play quarterback, and this unit has finally started to catch fire after a miserable start to the campaign. They currently rank 25th in conversion rate this year (20%), but have scored at least once on the man advantage in five straight games, and are 7-for-21 (33.3%) on the power play in that span. 

The Penguins have won five consecutive games overall, each of their last four at home, and six games in a row played on one day of rest, while the Stars are 1-5 in their last six games against teams with winning records.

Stars vs Penguins Over/Under analysis

Unlike the Penguins, the Stars are not getting outstanding production in net of late. Whether it’s Jake Oettinger or Scott Wedgewood between the pipes here, expect Dallas to struggle defensively in this spot.

Oettinger has allowed at least three goals in five of his last seven contests, playing to a .890 SV% in that span. Wedgewood has an uninspiring 3.05 GAA through 11 games this year.

There are numerous trends that suggest an Over is in store. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Stars’ last nine games after allowing two or fewer goals in their previous game, and 9-4-1 in their last 14 games played on one day of rest. 

The Over is also 14-6 in the Penguins’ last 20 games against teams with winning records, and 12-4 in their last 16 games played on one day of rest.

Stars vs Penguins betting trend to know

The Penguins are 41-19 in their last 60 games following a win. Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs Penguins.

Stars vs Penguins game info

Stars vs Penguins key injuries

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