Dallas Stars vs Ny Islanders Picks and Predictions October 12th 2024

Islanders brace for early road trip, starting at Stars

The New York Islanders are set to embark on a crucial three-game road trip, starting Saturday night against the Dallas Stars. After a heartbreaking overtime loss in their season opener, the Islanders must quickly regroup and face the challenges of a grueling early schedule.

Islanders’ Tough Season Opener

The Islanders opened their season on Thursday with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Hockey Club at home. Despite leading three separate times during the game, including a go-ahead goal from rookie Maxim Tsyplakov with just over two minutes left in regulation, they failed to hold off a determined Utah team. Utah’s Josh Doan quickly tied the game 13 seconds later, and Dylan Guenther sealed the win in overtime for the visitors.

This loss exposed a critical issue for the Islanders early in the season: the inability to close out games. Protecting leads, especially in the third period, will be a key focus for head coach Patrick Roy as the team prepares for their upcoming road tests.

Lessons from Utah’s Success

Utah, a team that recently relocated from Arizona, has started the season strong with a 2-0-0 record. Their win against the Islanders came just two days after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks, showcasing their ability to manage a tough schedule. Utah’s early success serves as a reminder of the level of resilience and focus the Islanders must display, especially as they head into a challenging stretch of games on the road.

Following their game against the Stars, the Islanders will head west to face the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, before traveling to St. Louis to battle the Blues on Thursday. It’s a tough slate of opponents, and the Islanders must approach these games with the same grit and determination that Utah displayed in their matchup.

Islanders Coach Patrick Roy Calls for No Excuses

Head coach Patrick Roy emphasized the importance of staying focused and playing with discipline, regardless of the schedule. “This is the schedule — let’s not find excuses for whatever it is, let’s go out there and play our game and play the right way,” Roy said after Thursday’s loss.

Roy’s message to the team is clear: focus on performance, avoid excuses, and maintain consistency through the demanding road trip. With games against strong teams like Dallas, Colorado, and St. Louis, the Islanders cannot afford to let defensive lapses or late-game collapses continue.

NHL GAME PREDICTIONS & BETTING TIPS

Dallas Stars Look to Build on Opening Win

Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars come into Saturday’s game riding the momentum of a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators in their season opener. The Stars built a commanding 4-1 lead in the second period, thanks to goals from Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Mason Marchment. Despite being outshot 13-7 in the period, Dallas capitalized on their opportunities to control the game.

However, the Stars faced a late scare in the third period when Nashville mounted a comeback, cutting the lead to one goal with just over a minute left. Goalie Jake Oettinger made key saves down the stretch, finishing the game with 33 saves to preserve the win.

While Stars head coach Pete DeBoer was pleased with the win, he acknowledged there is room for improvement, particularly in maintaining focus for the full 60 minutes. “It’s Game 1,” DeBoer said. “A lot of things to work on for everybody, but a tough rink to come into against a really good team. I thought we were in full control of that game at 4-1. We gave them a little bit of life there in the third, but that’s all a learning process for us.”

Dallas’ Strong Record in Home Openers

The Stars will be looking to continue their success in home openers as they face the Islanders. Dallas has won its last four home openers and boasts a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 season debuts at American Airlines Arena, dating back to the 2014-15 season. The Stars will be aiming to make it five straight wins in their first home game of the season, hoping to take advantage of an Islanders team still finding its footing.

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Islanders’ Defensive Resilience: The Islanders must address their third-period struggles. After squandering multiple leads against Utah, their ability to close out games will be critical against a high-powered Stars offense.
2. Stars’ Offensive Burst: Dallas showed their ability to score in quick succession, as they did against Nashville, where three goals came in just under six minutes. The Islanders will need to defend tightly, especially in the middle stages of the game, to avoid falling behind.
3. Rookie Spotlight: Maxim Tsyplakov, who scored his first NHL goal for the Islanders in their opener, will be a player to watch. His ability to contribute offensively could be key as the Islanders search for scoring depth during this tough road stretch.
4. Islanders’ Travel Schedule: With three games in four nights, including trips to Colorado and St. Louis after Dallas, the Islanders face one of the more physically demanding road trips early in the season. How they manage fatigue and stay disciplined will likely determine their success.

Conclusion: Time to Rebound

The Islanders face a critical test in their early-season road trip, starting with a formidable opponent in the Dallas Stars. After a tough opening loss, the Islanders will need to focus on defensive stability and maintaining leads, while also taking inspiration from Utah’s ability to handle a grueling schedule. Dallas, on the other hand, will look to build on their strong start, aiming for another home-opener victory to keep momentum going. As both teams seek early-season success, this matchup will provide a glimpse into how they handle adversity and capitalize on opportunities.