Offense meets defense at PNC Arena on Saturday as the explosive Dallas Stars (18-8-5) travel to take on the stifling Carolina Hurricanes (17-6-6). Dallas is coming off a 2-1 win over the Capitals on Thursday.
The Stars committed only two penalties in the game, holding Washington without a power play goal. Jamie Benn and Colin Miller both scored once for the Stars. Jake Oettinger had a great performance with 45 saves (.978%) in the win.
Carolina won their third straight game, beating the Kraken 3-2 on Thursday. Andrei Svechnikov, Derek Stepan, and Stefan Noesen each scored once for the Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov only stopped 15 of 17 shots (.882%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Stars won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 (SO) victory in their final meeting in March. Roope Hintz (2G 0A), Jason Robertson (0G 2A), and Joe Pavelski (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Dallas. Nino Niederreiter (2G 0A) and Brady Skjei (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Scott Wedgewood got the win, saving 44 of 47 shots (.936%).
FACING OFF
Dallas is averaging 3.61 goals per game for the season, fifth in the NHL. The visitors will face a difficult challenge against a Hurricanes team that is allowing only 2.59 goals a game (4th). Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 2.83 times a game on average, 25th in the league, and the Stars are allowing opponents to score 2.68 goals per game (6th).
Carolina averages more shots a game (34.9) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 8.3% shooting percentage is 30th. With an average of 31.9 attempts, Dallas ranks 13th.
The Stars’ 25.00% power play percentage ranks ninth in the league, while the Hurricanes are 26th with a conversion rate of 17.53%. Dallas has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 84.82%. Carolina ranks ninth at 80.41%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 43 points this season, fourth-most in the NHL, Robertson is the top skater for the Stars. He is among the league leaders with 23 goals (2nd) and has added 20 assists. In the net, Oettinger (11-4-3) is Dallas’ top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.49 GAA and a .916% save percentage.Martin Necas (28 points), Svechnikov (27), and Sebastian Aho (27) lead the Hurricanes in scoring.
Necas has 12 goals and 16 assists, while Svechnikov has 16 goals and 11 assists. Aho has 11 goals and 16 assists. Kochetkov (7-1-4) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.01, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .926%, fifth-best.
HOME AND AWAY
Dallas is 9-5-2 on the road this season. Carolina is 6-3-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
