With the start of the NHL preseason, the contest between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars on Saturday stands out as a real highlight of what lies ahead in the season. For the American Airlines Center teams, it will be the first test match this season as both teams will be efficient in finalizing their players and tactics too. This matchup captures the attention of very many fans and bettors making it a hot topic for NHL free prediction discussions.
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars 9/21/24 Game Info |
|
| When: | Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | American Airlines Center |
| TV: | Victory+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
St. Louis Blues (43-33-6 Last season) vs. Dallas Stars (52-21-9 Last season)
The St. Louis Blues head into this matchup banking on their offensive lineup led by standout centers Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, alongside left-wing Pavel Buchnevich. Thomas, who notched 86 points last season, remains a pivotal playmaker, setting the stage for the Blues’ tactical execution against the Stars’ defensive maneuvers. Despite a fluctuating plus/minus rating, the trio’s ability to leverage power play opportunities could pose significant challenges for the Stars’ defense. However, the Stars will not be an easy target. Their defensive setup, especially when they faced teams like the Minnesota Wild, was formidable, making this matchup even more intriguing.
On the other hand, the Dallas Stars head into the ring boasting a strong offensive ensemble comprising Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, and Roope Hintz. Again, this k-wing creates points steadily, Pavelski provides the experience, while Hintz shoots the prey, making it a recipe for penetrating into the Blues’ barricades. The Stars have developed a well-calibrated system of offense which emphasizes both fast and accurate attacks, which could outmaneuver the similar but inconsiderate approaches employed by the Blues’ defense.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington vs. Goaltender Jake Oettinger
Jordan Binnington will be an important player for the Blues moving forward. Last season, Binnington was reliable since he made .913 of his saves in 57 games. Holding the useful resource of thirty-six hundred and thirty save opportunities will be crucial for him, when he combats with a Stars offensive line which is famous for very powerful shooting. Binnington’s shoot-out statistics of .76 save percentage would also be imperative, more so, in a close contested game where saves may be the difference.
The Stars tend to rest on the capabilities of their goalie, Jake Oettinger, who posted a little bit lower .905 save percentage than last season. On the other hand, his 35 victories show that he possesses a winning attitude, which is essential for the Stars during the preseason. Also, Oettinger will not be spared from pressure situations where he has an average .75 shootout save percentage against the nasty shooting Blues. Given the weight of the duties bestowed upon him, his goaltending could essentially tip the scale of the game in favor of the Stars.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Because the betting lines remain unsettled, one can assume that Dallas Stars will most probably be favored owing to their better record and playing at home. Nevertheless, the preseason games being unpredictable in nature and both teams approaching these games with different players and strategies could present some interesting elements in the betting lines.
St. Louis Blues Betting Trends
The Blues have been quite tough where they have gone 3 – 2 in their last five games and had a similar record against the spread as well. However, they have a losing record slightly above .500 against the spread in road games, which indicates weakness away from home ice.
Dallas Stars Betting Trends
On the other hand, the Stars’ recent five-game stretch keeps the good 3-2 record but tends to be unreliable against the spread which is clearly causing problems because some high expectations are not being met. The home record averages out in terms of spread cover which may indicate there are times the team lacks support from their home fans.
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars 9/21/24 Betting Picks
Preseason trends and stats suggest that the puck line should be taken up with a great degree of caution and the focus shifted on the possibilities for the game being a high-scoring one. Both sides have had their offensive capabilities, which would probably push the total past the over, thus a factor making it a worthwhile wager.
As for the outcome, the Dallas Stars, at home and with good offence statistics, are more advantageous than their opponents, so one would rather place a straight moneyline on them. For those who wish to be more specific, in-play types over/under seem preferable without the need to state the obvious. As for premium picks today, a wager on the Stars to win brings the best risk versus reward balance.