Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions November 18th 2024

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks November 18th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Ducks and Stars. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Stars at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Stars are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Ducks.

Anaheim vs. Dallas Key Information

The Ducks Can Win If…

Anaheim’s 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks dropped them to 6-8-2 this season. The Ducks entered as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s 6 combined goals fell short of the over.

Defensively, the Ducks struggled early, allowing two goals in the first period. They didn’t score until the third period, when Brock McGinn found the net at 9:44. Anaheim added another goal with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Anaheim fired 39 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn netted his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish added a power-play goal, his second of the year as well.

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The Ducks were held scoreless until the 3rd period, with McGinn’s goal coming at 9:44 and McTavish scoring with just 4 seconds left in the game. Anaheim recorded 16 giveaways in the contest.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, giving up the first three goals to the Blackhawks, including two on the power play. The Ducks also allowed the final goal at 17:43 in the 3rd period, sealing a 4-2 loss. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with a save percentage of 86.2%.

Dallas fell to 11-5-0 after a 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The Stars were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.

After trailing 2-0, the Stars tied it up in the second period. However, the Panthers responded with two more goals, including an empty-netter, to seal the win.

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

After a scoreless first period, the Stars got on the board with Dadonov’s power-play goal at 8:38 in the second period. Duchene followed with his goal at 11:22 in the same period. Dallas ended the game with 32 giveaways.

Defensively, the Stars gave up the first goal at 5:15 in the first period and another at 8:47 in the second, putting them down 2-0. After tying the game at 2-2, they allowed two more goals, one at 2:32 in the third period and an empty-netter at 19:00. Goalie Casey DeSmith made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%.

To those searching for a pure moneyline wager, the Stars is the clear pick. Still, with a payout of -381, it’s worth thinking about including this bet in a parlay.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Ducks to cover. Even if the Stars manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Coming Off Season-High Goal Total, Ducks Visit Stars

The Anaheim Ducks, fresh off their highest-scoring game of the season, hit the road to face the Dallas Stars on Monday night in what promises to be a challenging test. This matchup marks the beginning of a back-to-back road set for the Ducks, who will also face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Gauthier’s Breakthrough Moment Sparks Ducks

Anaheim’s recent 6-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings was highlighted by a milestone for rookie Cutter Gauthier, who finally netted his first NHL goal after 17 games. The 20-year-old’s pivotal tally gave the Ducks a 4-3 lead in the third period, helping them complete a comeback after trailing 3-1 earlier in the contest.

“It was a dream come true,” Gauthier said of his first NHL goal. “Against my hometown Detroit, it was a surreal moment, and I am just so pumped.”

The Ducks have struggled offensively this season, sitting near the bottom of the league with an average of 2.44 goals per game before Sunday’s games. However, their performance against Detroit was a sign of their offensive potential.

Trevor Zegras, a cornerstone of Anaheim’s young core, broke out of his slump with a power-play goal—his first non-empty-net tally of the season. Troy Terry continued his strong start, netting his team-leading sixth goal, while 21-year-old defenseman Olen Zellweger chipped in with a goal and two assists.

“We have a highly skilled young team who can make plays like that night in and night out,” Gauthier said. “It’s just about having the confidence to do it consistently. It’s a super young group, but it’s a confident one as well.”

Stars Are Rolling, But Not Letting Up

The Dallas Stars come into this game on a high after winning three straight, including back-to-back seven-goal performances against the Penguins and Bruins, followed by a gritty 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

“It was a heavy, hard, playoff-type game out there,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of their win over Minnesota. “There was a lot of physicality, a lot of battles. Not a lot of room. Both goalies were great.”

The Stars, who are chasing the Winnipeg Jets and Wild in the competitive Central Division, have shown they can win both high-scoring shootouts and tight, low-scoring affairs. DeBoer emphasized that he’s pleased with how his team has adapted to different styles of play.

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“I’ve always said the process is more important than the standings,” DeBoer noted. “I like how we’re playing. We’ve scored some goals lately and have also won tight games. That shows good detail in our game, giving us a chance to win every night.”

Key Players to Watch

• Cutter Gauthier (Ducks): After breaking his scoring drought, the rookie will look to carry that momentum into Monday’s game.
• Trevor Zegras (Ducks): Finally finding the back of the net, Zegras will be key in generating offense for Anaheim.
• Tyler Seguin (Stars): Dallas’ veteran forward is heating up, contributing two assists in the win over Minnesota.
• Ilya Lyubushkin (Stars): The former Duck, now with Dallas, has five assists this season, including two against the Wild.

Goaltending Matchup

The Ducks will face a tough test against Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger, who has been solid in net, especially in tight games. Anaheim’s goaltending situation remains a work in progress, but they’ll need a standout performance to compete with a high-powered Stars offense.

Looking Ahead

The Ducks are hoping to carry over their newfound confidence from the Detroit game into their showdown with Dallas, while the Stars aim to continue their strong form as they integrate new faces into their lineup. Both teams have something to prove as they battle through the grind of the regular season.