Dallas Stars (14-5-3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (10-10-5)
Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 12/4/23 – The Dallas Stars ride into Tampa on Monday night seeking their victory against a struggling Lightning team trying to get back on track. For those in search of hockey free picks for Monday night’s contest, check out our analysis and betting prediction.
The Stars have been an impressive team this season thanks to the leadership of Joe Pavelski (24 points from 11 goals and 13 assists), Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and other key offensive contributors such as Joe Pavelski – especially at his 20.4% shooting efficiency rate. Defense against Tampa Bay will need to step up their game as Dallas will unleash their formidable attack trio against them.
Nikita Kucherov leads Tampa Bay’s offense, scoring 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points – an impressive total. Brayden Point and Victor Hedman round out this team and present an even bigger challenge to Dallas Stars defense – specifically when factoring in their ability to penetrate Dallas defensive lines on the road. Penetration by Tampa Bay could prove essential in this matchup!
Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 12/4/23 Game Info
| When: | Monday, December 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Amalie Arena |
| TV: | |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jake Oettinger vs. Goaltender Jonas Johansson
Jake Oettinger has crafted another spectacular campaign for the Stars this season. He has posted a tremendous .920 save percentage as his agile 6’5″ frame allows Oettinger to make many acrobatic saves between the pipes. The 23-year-old netminder has also compiled a 10-4-2 record while giving up a paltry 2.44 goals per game on average. Oettinger is on pace for career-bests in several categories as he continues to establish himself as an elite goalie talent. He will be licking his chops facing the short-handed Lightning offense that is missing several top point producers.
On the other hand, Jonas Johansson‘s first season manning the blue paint for the Lightning hasn’t gone according to plan. The 27-year-old Swede is near the cellar of the NHL with his lackluster .892 save percentage and bloated 3.44 goals against per game. His record is an equally disappointing 8-5-5 in 19 games played as he tries filling the giant void left by Andrei Vasilevskiy’s injury absence. Johansson has been especially shaky on home ice where he is surrendering 3.78 goals per contest in Tampa. Considering how Johansson has fared miserably against other top offenses, trying to contain the Stars’ endless array of weapons offensively figures to end poorly for him.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Dallas Star -115, Total Odds: 6.5
Despite Tampa Bay playing at home, the Stars enter as narrow -115 favorites. Given their vast superiority on both ends of the ice so far this season, Dallas presents solid value at just slightly juiced odds. The total is set at 6.5 goals. With Oettinger rolling for Dallas, the under holds some appeal here.
Dallas Stars Betting Trends
The Dallas Stars enter this contest as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, winning 13 of their last 20 games while reaching the over in 7 of their previous 9 matchups. Lately, their high-powered offense led by Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson has been a force, eclipsing six or more goals in five of their past eight. Not surprisingly, the over has cashed with frequency during this stretch. Dallas also boasts an impressive 8-2 record in its last 10 games on the road, so the Stars are no stranger to prevailing in hostile environments.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
The Tampa Bay Lightning have experienced a nightmarish stretch as of late, losing five of their past six contests overall. Tampa has been dreadful on home ice all season long, evident by its 2-5 record across the team’s last seven games at Amalie Arena. This has resulted in futility offensively, with four of the Lightning’s previous six matchups finishing under the total. Against Central division foes like the Stars, Tampa Bay’s scoring woes have been even direr, going under in five straight versus the Central.
Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 12/4/23 Betting Picks
Considering both teams’ performance and betting trends, this game could be closer than the odds suggest. Dallas appears to have the upper hand, especially with their road record and offensive firepower. However, Tampa Bay’s historical advantage over Dallas, particularly at home, cannot be ignored.
For handicappers reviews, Dallas might be the safer bet for the Moneyline, but Tampa Bay could surprise, especially given their record against Dallas at home. The over/under is a tough call, but considering both teams’ offensive strengths, the over on 6.5 could be a reasonable bet.
Free Pick and Prediction: Dallas Stars 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3.