Welcome back to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey! Each day we look at the day’s NHL action to give our analysis, preview and prediction. One of our featured games today is between the Los Angeles Kings and the Dallas Stars. Be sure to check back each day to read all our NHL Predictions!
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings
Time: 10 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: TNT; Max; Youtube TV
This highly anticipated Western Conference showdown features the fourth and fifth seeds in action on national television. The Kings and Stars meet in Los Angeles for the first time this season. A big two points will be on the line between these playoff teams. Here’s how they’ll match up against each other.
Similarities, Similarities
The Kings and Stars had a very similar final week of November. The Kings played four games. They lost to a last-placed division rival in the San Jose Sharks. Afterwards, the team hit its stride winning three games straight.
Similarly, on Wednesday the Stars lost to the last-placed team in their division in the Chicago Blackhawks. After the loss, Dallas also went on to win three straight games. Interestingly, both teams beat the NHL first-placed Winnipeg Jets on their win streaks.
Both Los Angeles and Dallas bring three-game win streaks into the game tonight. If Dallas wins the game, they stay ahead of the Kings in the Western Conference standings. If Los Angeles wins in regulation, they can move ahead of Dallas in the standings. The Kings sit just two points out of first place in the Pacific Division. The Dallas Stars are four points out of first in the Central Division. The similar situations and closeness in the standings make this game an equally important one for each team.
Lineups
Matt Duchene leads his Stars teams in goals, assists and points. Kopitar is the leader of the Kings in assists and points. Winger Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals.
Dallas will have an advantage in the goalie department. Jake Oettinger is one of the league’s best and continues to put up good numbers this year. Los Angeles has three goalies who could get the start. David Rittich has carried the majority of the workload during Darcy Kuemper‘s stint on the injured reserve. Erik Portillo picked up his first career win against the Anaheim Ducks last Friday, but the Kings would probably prefer not to start him against a powerful Stars team. In addition, Darcy Kuemper should be back from his injury soon and has been seen practicing with the team.
Prediction
Both teams will look to extend their winning streak. Los Angeles could definitely take this game if they play well at home, and play the Stars as strongly as they did against Winnipeg. However, the Stars have won the last four games against the Kings and eight of the last ten. Additionally, they have won the past two games at Crypto.Com Arena. For this reason, the Stars are the favourites to win.
Prediction: Dallas Stars over Los Angeles Kings 4-2
Prop Bets
Adrian Kempe is always a good bet. FanDuel Sportsbook has him at +210 to score tonight. The Swedish Winger leads both teams in goals. Jason Robertson has been quiet to start the season for Dallas, scoring only five goals. The California-born Star is always a threat to score against Los Angeles, recording five goals in eight games. FanDuel Sportsbook has him at +280 to score.
Main Photo Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
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