The American Airlines Center is the site for a Western Conference matchup as the Dallas Stars face off against the visiting Anaheim Ducks. The match will get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 25, and fans at home will be able to view it live on Fox Sports Southwest.
Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars Odds
Anaheim is 5-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Six of its outings have gone under the total, while three have gone over and just one has pushed. The Ducks are 3-3 SU on the road in 2018-19.
The Ducks have found the net on 19.2 percent of their power play opportunities so far. That represents an increase over last season, when they were ranked 24th in the league by converting on 17.3 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably year-over-year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 82.3 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked fifth overall last year) to 77.1 percent this year.
For the team as a whole, the Ducks have been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game during the 2018-19 season. Last year, that figure was the third-worst mark in the league at 4.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 10.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.4 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 34.9 saves per game with a .949 save percentage, John Gibson (4-4-1) has been the best option in goal for Anaheim this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, Anaheim could turn to Ryan Miller (1-2), who has a .938 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average this year.
Hampus Lindholm and Max Comtois will both lead the way for the visiting Ducks. Lindholm (seven points) is up to two goals and five assists, and has recorded multiple points two times. Comtois has two goals and five assists to his creditand has logged at least one point in seven games.
On the other side of the rink, Dallas is 4-4 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through eight regular season matches, four of its games have gone under the total, while three have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 4-2 SU at home this year.
The Stars have killed off an impressive 81.8 percent of all penalties, compared to 80.9 percent a year ago (when they were ranked 13th in the NHL). They have converted on 33.3 percent of their power plays this year after scoring on 19.3 percent (ranked 19th in league) last season.
Dallas skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.2, the fourth-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 10.1 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per outing this season.
Ben Bishop has denied 28.2 shots per game as the top option in goal for the Stars. Bishop has three wins and three losses to his credit and has maintained a 2.38 goals against average and a .923 save percentage this year.
Tyler Seguin (three goals, eight assists) will pace the offensive counter for the home team.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
Anaheim has scored 2.5 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 1.3 goals per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
The Ducks are 3-3 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Stars are 0-2 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
After posting a 4-7 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Anaheim is off to a 1-1 start in shootouts this season. Dallas went 4-3 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
The under has hit in three of Dallas’ last five outings.
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