NHL Betting Preview: Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild - Expert Pick and Analysis, February 17, 2023

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The battle is set to commence between two titans of the NHL, as the Dallas Stars hit the road to take on the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center on Friday night. This game marks the fourth time these teams will face each other this season, with the Stars currently holding a 2-1 lead in the series.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have had some difficulty putting points on the board in recent games, scoring two goals or fewer in six of their last nine outings. Their lackluster offense has contributed to their rank of 24th in the league in goals per game and 18th in shots per game. However, the Wild do have some standout players, including Kirill Kaprizov who leads the team with 64 points and 31 goals. He has recorded at least one point in seven out of the last 10 games. Additionally, Mats Zuccarello has been making significant contributions, with 54 points and a string of seven consecutive games with at least one point.

While the Wild's offense has struggled at times, their defense and goaltending have been solid throughout the season. They currently rank 12th in the league in goals against per game and 10th in shots against per game. Marc-Andre Fleury has been the team's primary netminder, with a record of 16-13-3, a 2.98 GAA, and a .901 SV%. Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson has also been a key contributor, with a record of 12-8-2, a 2.18 GAA, and a .926 SV%.

Despite their recent struggles, the Wild are still in a solid position in the Central division. They currently sit in fourth place, just behind the Colorado Avalanche. However, they are in a tight race in the division, and they will need to continue to play strong defense and get more production from their offense in order to make a run at the playoffs.

As the season progresses, the Wild will need to focus on improving their offensive play. While Kaprizov and Zuccarello have been making significant contributions, the team will need more production from their other forwards in order to compete with some of the top teams in the league. Additionally, their goaltending and defense will need to remain strong in order to give the team a chance to win close games. With the right combination of offense, defense, and goaltending, the Wild have the potential to be a dangerous team in the playoffs.

Looking ahead, the Wild will need to be consistent in their play and continue to work hard in order to secure a spot in the playoffs. They currently sit just outside of the Wild Card spot, but they are tied in points with the Calgary Flames. With a few key victories and some strong performances down the stretch, the Wild could very well find themselves in the postseason.

INJURIES: Marcus Foligno: day to day (knee).

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars have been performing well this season, despite some recent offensive struggles. Over the last seven games, they have scored two or fewer goals in five of them. As a result, they currently rank 12th in the league in goals per game and 16th in shots per game. However, the team has a number of standout players, including Jason Robertson, who leads the team with an impressive 71 points. He has recorded at least one point in seven out of the last 10 games, and he currently ranks seventh in points and tied for fifth in goals among all players in the league.

In addition to Robertson's standout performance, Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, and Jamie Benn have also been making significant contributions to the team. Hintz and Pavelski both have 50 points, while Benn has 46 points. Together, these players have helped to make up for some of the team's recent offensive struggles, and they will be essential to the team's success as they continue to compete for a spot in the playoffs.

Despite the team's recent struggles on offense, their defense has been above average this season. In fact, they currently rank second in the league in goals against per game, which is a testament to the team's strong defensive play. The team's goaltending has also been excellent, with Jake Oettinger leading the way with a record of 23-7-8, a 2.23 GAA, and a .925 SV%. Oettinger currently ranks third in GAA, third in SV%, and second in shutouts among all goalies in the league. Meanwhile, Scott Wedgewood has also been making solid contributions in goal, with a record of 7-7-3, a 2.91 GAA, and a .913 SV%.

Overall, the Stars are in a strong position this season. They currently hold the top spot in the Central division, and they have the most points in the Western Conference. With a very good offense, strong defense, and outstanding goaltending, they are considered to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. While their recent struggles on offense are cause for concern, the team has a number of standout players who can make a difference in any given game. As they continue to compete against some of the best teams in the league, the Stars will need to maintain their strong play in all areas of the game in order to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

INJURIES: Joel Kiviranta: out (lower body).

BETTING TRENDS

Dallas are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.

Dallas are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games against Minnesota.

The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Dallas' last 10 games on the road.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas' last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games.

Minnesota are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota's last 10 games at home.

Prediction

It's been concerning to watch the Minnesota Wild struggle lately, losing seven out of their last ten games. The team's lack of success at home with an 8-20 record against the spread only compounds their recent woes. The Wild have been unable to find a consistent rhythm on both ends of the ice, and their offensive struggles have been particularly problematic.

On the other hand, the Dallas Stars have had a mixed bag of results recently, having lost their last two games at home against some of the league's toughest opponents, the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, despite these recent losses, the Stars have already managed to beat Minnesota two out of the three times they have faced off this season, which could give them a mental edge heading into this game.

One thing that gives the Stars an advantage over the Wild is their offensive prowess. With players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn leading the charge, Dallas has been able to light up the scoreboard in recent games. This could be a significant issue for Minnesota, who have struggled to find the back of the net in recent games.

All things considered, it seems like the Stars have the upper hand heading into this game. With the Wild struggling offensively and Dallas' potent attack, it's likely that Minnesota will struggle to keep pace. So, if you're looking to make a bet on this game, it might be wise to side with the Stars.

PICK: Stars ML (-105)

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