Nashville Predators (21-16-1) vs. Dallas Stars (22-10-4)
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars 1/6/24 – On Saturday evening, hockey fans and bettors alike can anticipate an exciting NHL regular season game featuring Nashville Predators against Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center and broadcast live on ESPN+ at 8:00 PM ET. Offering NHL expert free tips, this matchup promises an intense battle on the ice that is sure to impress.
Nashville Predators come into this game with a powerful offensive lineup. Left winger Filip Forsberg leads them with 42 points (including 18 goals) while centers Ryan O’Reilly (32) and Roman Josi (30 points) provide major threats to Stars defenses. Nashville’s aggressive play style and effective power-play execution will test Stars defense, who have proven fairly resilient so far this season.
Dallas Stars have an equally formidable offensive unit. Left winger Jason Robertson led them with 37 points while center Joe Pavelski scored 34. Roope Hintz added depth with 33 points of her own; these players provide creativity and high scoring efficiency that will challenge Nashville Predators defense, who has proven both resilient and vulnerable over the course of this season.
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars 1/6/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | American Airlines Center |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Juuse Saros vs. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood
Juuse Saros has seen his performance dip after a stellar 2021-22 campaign. Through 30 starts, Saros possesses a subpar 16-13-1 record along with an .904 save percentage and 2.91 GAA. The Predators need their franchise goaltender to return to form in order to get back in the playoff race. However, facing the Stars’ fearsome offense on the road is a difficult matchup to bounce back. Still, if Saros can channel his Vezina-finalist play from last season, he gives Nashville a chance to steal two points.
Meanwhile, Scott Wedgewood continues to shine when called upon for Dallas. In 16 appearances backing up Jake Oettinger, Wedgewood earned an 11-3-2 mark coupled with a .900 save rate. While his peripheral numbers remain modest, Wedgewood excels at making key saves at important moments for the Stars. If he gets the home start on Saturday, expect another strong outing as Wedgewood aims to improve upon his sterling 11-1-1 home record over the past two seasons.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
While the betting odds are yet to be determined, this matchup appears to be closely contested. The Stars might enter as slight favorites due to their superior record and home advantage, but the Predators’ recent form could offer value for bettors looking for underdog opportunities.
Nashville Predators Betting Trends
The Predators struggled mightily over the past couple weeks, posting a 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS record in their last five contests. Nashville also plays poorly on the road, going 9-8 ATS away from Bridgestone Arena. However, the over has cashed recently in Predators’ games. Their leaky defense and reliance on offense makes high-scoring affairs likely.
Dallas Stars Betting Trends
In contrast to Nashville, Dallas enters this matchup in stellar form. The Stars won four of five games while covering in three outings over that span. Dallas also plays high-event hockey on home ice, evidenced by a 15-19 mark favoring overs at American Airlines Center. Ride Dallas’ hot play backing the puck line and slight over.
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars 1/6/24 Betting Picks
By looking at both teams’ strengths and recent forms, this match promises to be closely contested. While it appears the Stars might hold an edge due to their home advantage and strong offensive line, don’t underestimate the Predators’ capacity for performance under pressure and team chemistry balance – these elements should not be disregarded!
Bettors deciding between these two teams might weigh their options on individual performances and individual matchups, including Forsberg and Robertson’s potential impact on game outcomes. Prop bets involving such key players could prove intriguing.
Top premium picks would likely favor the Dallas Stars, but with a cautionary note on the Predators’ potential to upset. The over/under market might also be worth exploring, given the teams’ recent scoring trends.
Free Pick and Prediction: Dallas Stars 4, Nashville Predators 3.