Philadelphia Flyers vs Dallas Stars Picks and Predictions January 9th 2025

Surging Stars Look to Extend Streak Against Flyers

The Dallas Stars, one of the NHL’s hottest teams, aim to extend their winning streak to six games when they face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. Dallas is gaining momentum in the standings with consistent performances, while the Flyers seek to snap a three-game skid and regain their footing in the Eastern Conference.

Stars Riding High

Dallas (6-0-1 in their last seven games) is firing on all cylinders. The Stars’ most recent victory, a 5-4 overtime win against the New York Rangers, showcased their resilience as they erased a 3-0 deficit. Captain Jamie Benn sealed the win in overtime after defenseman Thomas Harley tied the game late in regulation.

Head coach Pete DeBoer highlighted the importance of the team’s ability to rally:

“To be in that hole and find a way to get out of it early in this trip was really important for our group,” DeBoer said.

Dallas is thriving on balance, with six players tallying at least 25 points this season. Matt Duchene leads the charge with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists), while Benn continues to provide veteran leadership and scoring touch.

Flyers Seek Turnaround

The Flyers (0-2-1 in their last three games) are struggling to find consistency. Their latest setback, a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, came despite a strong two-goal effort from Travis Konecny. Philadelphia has relied heavily on Konecny, who leads the team with 20 goals and 36 points, but secondary scoring has been elusive.

Matvei Michkov, an emerging talent, has cooled off, going without a point in 11 of his last 12 games. Meanwhile, Noah Cates has been a bright spot, recording at least one point in 11 of his last 13 games and showing significant improvement over last season.

Head coach John Tortorella remains optimistic but acknowledged the challenges facing his team:

“A lot of the guys know the right way to play. How we’re playing, eventually it’ll turn around for us. Just keep working hard,” Tortorella said.

Key Matchup: Stars’ Depth vs. Flyers’ Defense

Dallas’ balanced scoring attack poses a significant challenge for Philadelphia’s defense. With multiple offensive threats, including Duchene, Benn, and Jason Robertson, the Stars have the ability to capitalize on opportunities from all lines.

Philadelphia’s defensive corps will need to contain this firepower, while their goaltending situation adds uncertainty. With Samuel Ersson sidelined due to injury, Ivan Fedotov has started the last two games. However, Tortorella hinted at the possibility of turning to Aleksei Kolosov for this matchup.

Breaking Down the Odds for the NHL’s Best Record

High Stakes for Both Teams

For the Stars, Thursday’s game offers a chance to maintain their momentum and solidify their position in the Western Conference standings. For the Flyers, it’s an opportunity to stop their skid and build confidence at home against a formidable opponent.

This is the first meeting of the season between these teams, with a rematch set for March 22 in Dallas. As the Stars look to extend their dominance and the Flyers aim to regroup, this clash promises to be an intriguing battle of contrasting trajectories.