Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions December 27th 2024

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild December 27th 2024

Betting on today’s Wild and Stars game? Catch the action at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX, as the Stars hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Stars are favored by -1.5 against the Wild in a Central division matchup.

Minnesota vs. Dallas Key Information

• Teams: Wild at Stars
• Where: American Airlines Center Dallas
• Date: Friday, December 27th
• Betting Odds DAL -148 | MIN +120 O/U 5.5

The Wild Can Win If…

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 21-10-4. Minnesota entered the game as the puck line favorites, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

Ryan Hartman put the Wild on the board first, scoring at 9:41 in the first period. The Maple Leafs tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the first, but Matt Boldy secured the win for Minnesota with a goal 2:14 into overtime.

Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, while Matt Boldy added his sixth in the Wild’s 2-1 overtime win against Toronto. Jared Spurgeon picked up assists on both goals, bringing his season total to three.

The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods. They recorded 15 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Wild will look to build on their previous performance, where they allowed just one goal to the Maple Leafs. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage, and the defense added 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they conceded came on a power play late in the first period.

• Across Minnesota’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 0-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Minnesota’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Stars Can Win If…

Dallas dropped to 20-13-0 after a 4-2 road loss to the Panthers. The Stars were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

After falling behind 2-0, Dallas tied it up with two goals in the second period. However, the Panthers scored twice more, including an empty-netter, to seal the win.

Dallas took 25 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 4-2 loss to the Panthers. Evgenii Dadonov netted his second goal of the season, while Matt Duchene added his seventh. Duchene also picked up his eighth assist on Dadonov’s power-play goal.

The Stars were held scoreless in the first period before finding the net twice in the second. Miro Heiskanen earned his fourth assist of the season, and Thomas Harley recorded his fifth. Dallas had 32 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Stars gave up the first two goals of the game, then two more in the 3rd period, resulting in a 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The final goal was an empty-netter, and Casey DeSmith finished with a save percentage of 87.5% on 24 shots. The Stars’ defense also had 5 takeaways and 26 hits.

• Across Dallas’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 0-3 against the spread, while going 1-2 on the over-under.
• Across Dallas’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. In these contests, the team went just 2-8 against the spread, while going 2-8 on the over-under.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Stars to come out with a win against the Wild while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -148, I’m placing my bet on the Stars to win outright.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Stars to secure the win and cover. Expect the Stars to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Wild.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Wild and Stars Aim to Build Momentum After Holiday Reset

The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars will square off Friday night in Dallas, both teams eager to build on much-needed victories earned just before the NHL’s holiday break. With playoff positioning tightening in the Central Division, both squads have plenty to play for in this marquee matchup.

Minnesota Wild: Breaking Out of a Skid

The Wild snapped a four-game losing streak with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. The win allowed them to carry positive momentum into the holiday hiatus and focus on continuing to climb in the Central Division standings. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson returned from a lower-body injury and made 28 saves, providing the team with a much-needed boost in net. Yakov Trenin also returned to the lineup, though the Wild are still awaiting key contributors Joel Eriksson Ek and Jake Middleton, both sidelined with injuries.

Coach John Hynes stressed the importance of his team’s net-front presence, noting that successful teams commit to playing tough in high-traffic areas. Leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov has continued to shine, entering the game tied for second in the NHL with 23 goals. His offensive prowess has kept Minnesota in the mix despite injuries and a midseason skid.

Dallas Stars: Finding Stability

The Stars rebounded from consecutive losses with a gritty 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday, avoiding their first three-game regulation losing streak under coach Peter DeBoer. Goalie Casey DeSmith delivered a solid performance, reflecting the steady goaltending tandem that has kept Dallas competitive this season. The absence of Tyler Seguin due to hip surgery has tested the Stars’ depth, but contributions from Jason Robertson and Jamie Benn have helped the team remain afloat in the tightly contested Central Division.

DeBoer acknowledged the challenges his team has faced but emphasized that adversity has been part of their growth. With the Stars currently holding the final wild-card spot, every game matters as they aim to climb the standings and defend their division title.

What to Watch For

This matchup could hinge on the battle between special teams and goaltending. Minnesota has leaned on a strong power play to fuel its offense, while Dallas boasts a disciplined penalty-kill unit that has been reliable all season. With Gustavsson back for the Wild and DeSmith performing well for the Stars, the goaltending duel will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.

Both teams are chasing the division-leading Winnipeg Jets and need to establish consistency heading into the season’s second half. For Minnesota, sustaining their recent defensive improvements will be key. Dallas, meanwhile, must leverage home ice and their offensive weapons to keep pace in the standings.

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Outlook

This game represents a pivotal opportunity for both teams to solidify their playoff aspirations. The Wild, buoyed by returning players and newfound confidence, will look to dictate the pace. The Stars, with the advantage of playing at home, will aim to use their depth to neutralize Minnesota’s star power. Expect a tight contest with playoff implications on the line.

Prediction: Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT)