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The Dallas Stars face the Calgary Flames with both teams looking to improve in the Western Conference playoff picture in the final few weeks of the season. The Stars have a 37-19-13 record and are in first place in the Central Division but have lost back-to-back games. The Flames have a 31-24-14 record and are on the outside looking into the playoffs but are coming off a big 7-2 win. Both teams look to improve in the Western Conference and secure playoff spots and the upcoming game should be a great one.
Stars defense has been great this year
The Stars are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.39 goals per game. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Jamie Benn have scored 100 goals and 112 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, and Wyatt Johnston have combined for 54 goals and 83 assists while defenseman Miro Heiskanen has added 10 goals and 47 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Stars, allowing only 2.70 goals per game. Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen have combined for 9.3 defensive point shares and 218 blocked shots while Colin Miller, Jani Hakanpaa, and Ryan Suter have combined for 10.6 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. Additionally, goaltender Jake Oettinger has been great with a .919 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average on 1520 shots with 21.9 goals saved above average.
Flames have been carried by their offense
The Flames are having a strong season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.10 goals per game with 15 goals in the last three games. Tyler Toffoli, Nazem Kadri, and Elias Lindholm have scored 68 goals and 98 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Mikael Backlund, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Dillon Dube have combined for 49 goals and 84 assists while defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin have added 14 goals and 61 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.00 goals per game. Andersson and Hanifin have combined for 8.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Jacob Markstrom has struggled with a .894 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average on 1245 shots with -13.4 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Flames are looking to build off a strong win but I see the Stars bouncing back from two rough losses and controlling this game. The Stars, who average 3.39 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with great puck movement while Miro Heiskanen generates shots on the net from the blue line. The Stars should also limit the Flames' offense with Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jake Oettinger to make plenty of big saves. The Stars should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Stars money line as road Underdogs.
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Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Stars have been led by their defense and I see both defensive units stepping up and controlling this game. The Flames look to build off a game where they allowed only two goals and limit the Stars' offense with Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jacob Markstrom to make plenty of big saves. The Stars, who allow only 2.70 goals per game, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Flames' offense with Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, Colin Miller, and the rest of the defense forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Jake Oettinger blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.