The Dallas Stars were able to swipe Game 1 up in Nashville to start the Western Conference quarterfinals, but the Predators have restored order to the series, winning Games 2 and 3. In Game 3, Dallas attempted 89 shots and sent 42 of them on net, but only two of them made it by Pekka Rinne, while Stars goalie Ben Bishop had an uncharacteristically poor game, permitting two soft goals en route to a 3-2 win. Dallas could not score during an 89-second 5-on-3 advantage and is now 1 for 13 on the power play in the series. Can the Stars recover to even the series, or will Nashville push them to the brink of elimination? Take a look at our sports betting preview on this pivotal contest.
Predators vs Stars Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Betting Predictions
The Stars want to build off of their effort from Game 3 for tonight’s game. A win at home would be huge to even the series before heading back to Nashville. pic.twitter.com/GIAjLTEFgX
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 17, 2019
- When: Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 8:00pm ET
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
- TV: USA
- Radio: WPRT 102.5 FM Nashville / KTCK 1310 AM Dallas
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Opening Hockey Odds: Nashville -105 / Dallas -115
Why should you bet on Nashville?
Rocco Grimaldi scored in Game 3 and leads the team with two goals in the series. Viktor Arvidsson leads the team with 11 shots on goal. The real hero has been Pekka Rinne, who has faced 94 shots in three games but permitted just six goals. His play in net has been instrumental for the Predators’ late roll to the Central Division title, as they have permitted no more than three goals in 13 of their last 15 contests. Dallas has the talent to bring considerable offensive pressure, but the Predators have not cracked.
Nashville has dominated this rivalry lately, winning four of the last five overall — and five of the last six in Dallas. Nashville is a slight underdog here, but they have won in 16 of their last 26 games playing as a road underdog, while Dallas has dropped four straight as a home favorite. If you like Nashville here, you understand the inconsistency Dallas has shown over the last few seasons in crunch time, particularly when it comes to playing defense and scoring goals at the most crucial times.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 2.91
- Shots: 32.71
- PP/PK Percentage: 12.93
- Goals: 2.59
- Shots: 30.04
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.36
Why should you put your money on Dallas?
As dreadful as Dallas has been on the power play, Nashville has been even worse, failing to convert on any of their opportunities with the man advantage. The talent that Dallas has down, such as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn on offense and John Klingberg on defense and Ben Bishop in goal, is such that the Stars should not have had to settle for the wild card to make it into the playoffs. Dallas has played well against the Western Conference lately, winning five of their last seven despite losing the last two.
This has been a series of bounces, and either team could realistically be up 3-0 in this series right now on the basis of the way the games have gone. Dallas is certainly due to have some bounces go their way, and Ben Bishop is almost certain to have a huge game after such a disappointing show in Game 3. If you like the Stars, you see them realizing that they have their backs against the wall and need to put up a more impressive showing so that they don’t return to Nashville facing elimination in Game 5.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 2.54
- Shots: 30.73
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.26
- Goals: 2.46
- Shots: 31.67
- PP/PK Percentage: 16.60
Predators vs Stars NHL Betting Trends
- Nashville is 6-17 ATS in its last 23 games
- Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Nashville’s last 15 games
- Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Dallas’s last 21 games
- Dallas is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games at home
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Dallas has been an up-and-down team all season, much like last year, but they finished the 2018-19 regular season with a flourish, which is why they took a wild card instead of ending up at home after the 82 games ended. Nashville has the more solid postseason pedigree, but for me, the X-factor is Ben Bishop. I expect him to stand on his head and keep Nashville out of the Dallas net — which is why I’m predicting a final of Dallas 1, Nashville 0.
