The Dallas Stars (10-5-2) and their explosive offense play host to the New York Islanders (11-7-0) and their stifling defense at American Airlines Center on Saturday. New York is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 loss against the Predators on Thursday. The Islanders committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.
Four players found the net for the Islanders. Adam Pelech and Jean-Gabriel Pageau both scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Ilya Sorokin saved only 26 of 31 shots against (.838%) in the loss. Dallas is playing the first of five games at home after an exciting 6-4 win over the Panthers on Thursday. Roope Hintz was the leading goal scorer for the Stars, netting twice. Scott Wedgewood had 21 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 victory for the Stars in April. Radek Faksa, Tyler Seguin, and Marian Studenic were on the scoresheet for Dallas. Noah Dobson led New York with two points (0G 2A). Jake Oettinger got the win, saving 19 of 21 shots (.904%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.39 goals per game for the season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Stars team that is allowing 2.76 goals a game (9th).
Meanwhile, Dallas has found the net 3.88 times a game on average, second in the league, and will be looking to break through the Islanders’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.67 goals per game (5th).
The Stars’ third-ranked power play offense (31.37%) will be put to the test against the Islanders, who are the league’s fourth-best penalty killing team (83.61%).
New York, meanwhile, has scored on 20.75% of their power play opportunities (17th), which the visiting team will be looking to build on against Dallas’ fifth-ranked 83.10% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson have been the top skaters for the Islanders this season with 19 and 18 points. Barzal is among the league leaders with his 19 assists (3rd). In the net, Sorokin (7-4-0) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.17 GAA, fourth-best in the league, and a .932% save percentage, third-best.Jason Robertson leads the Stars in scoring with 26 points (3rd in the league). He has 11 goals (5th in the league) and 15 assists in 17 games.
Oettinger (6-2-1) has the best goals against average for Dallas at 2.12, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .929%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 5-4-0 away from UBS Arena this season. Dallas is 4-2-0 at American Airlines Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Islanders (+120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
