The American Airlines Center will be hosting a Western Conference showdown as the Dallas Stars face off against the visiting San Jose Sharks. Fox Sports Southwest Plus will air the matchup, and the action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31.
San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars Odds
Dallas (-135) is currently favored over San Jose (+115) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
The Stars are 21-18 straight up (SU) and have lost 1.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a remarkable improvement over the 34-48 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 39 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 13-5 SU at home.
Dallas has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.
Dallas, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .912 save percentage and 25.8 saves per game, Ben Bishop (16-14-2) has been the best option in goal for the Stars this season. If the Stars decide to give him a breather, however, it may turn to Kari Lehtonen (6-7-7 record, .907 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin will each be focal points for the Stars. Benn (35 points) is up to 16 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points in seven different games this year. Seguin has 18 goals and 16 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 24 contests.
On the other bench, San Jose is 20-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.5 units this season. Through 35 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. San Jose’s 8-7 SU as the visiting team this season.
San Jose has scored on 22.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.1 percent of all penalties.
San Jose’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Martin Jones (.917 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 26.0 saves per game and owns a 13-12-4 record.
Joe Thornton (seven goals, 19 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of Dallas’ last five games.
Extra-man opportunities may prove to be extremely important tonight. The Sharks are 8-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 11-12 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Stars are 11-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-7 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Two of Dallas’ last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this year.
Dallas is ranked 24th in the NHL with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as the team has averaged 4.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 3.2 takeaways over its last five.
San Jose is scoring 3.3 goals per game over the team’s three-game winning streak.
One of the best at disrupting their opponents, San Jose is ranked third overall this season with 10.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as the team has created 9.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
