The Dallas Stars were once one of the hottest teams in the NHL, not they are coming off of a loss to the Oilers. Can they regroup tonight against the Calgary Flames?
The train has come off the tracks for the Dallas Stars as
they have lost eight of their last 10 games. The low point came on Tuesday when
the Stars lost to the Edmonton Oilers, who have the fewest points in the NHL.
On Wednesday, they will do the Alberta two-step only this
time, they’ll have to square off with the smoking hot Calgary Flames. If they
can’t beat the Oilers, it’s not any more likely they’ll top the Flames.
The Dallas Stars Can
Win Because…
Have hit rock bottom, which is what you need to get out
of a slump.
The Stars were pantsed on Tuesday night when the Edmonton
Oilers dropped them 4-1. For the Oilers, it was just their fifth win in 24
games. For the Stars, they will be thrilled to get the sour taste out of their
mouths on Wednesday.
They need to snap out of it and they have to do it
quickly. They are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and with seven of their next
nine on the road, they could be tapping out by the time March rolls around.
The Stars are a better team than they have shown recently
and they just need to get a better team effort to get back on track.
The Calgary Flames
Can Win Because…
The Stars have gone ice cold. After they won their fifth
straight game on January 20th, it looked like they would be a
shoe-in to win the Pacific division and at least be a top-three seed in the
Western Conference.
Fast forward 10 games later and they are three points
away from falling into last place in the Pacific division and out of a playoff
spot.
The Stars can’t score goals right now. Part of that is
that the team has gone cold but another issue is a growing list of injuries. At
the top of the list is forward Brad Richards, who leads the team in goals,
assists and points. He’ll be out on Wednesday night.
The Stars have just 12 goals in their last seven games.
For the Flames, everything is cooking right now. After a
minor hiccup against two stellar teams – back-to-back losses to the Anaheim
Ducks and Vancouver Canucks – the Flames came up with one of their best efforts
of the year in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.
Again, Miikka Kiprusoff shined between the pipes for the
Flames as he has allowed just 26 goals in his last 11 starts.
Outlook & NHL
Betting Prediction:
It’s a lot of juice to lay but there is simply no way you
can bet the Stars right now. Not only are they struggling, they are also on the
road without their best forward (Brad Richards) and one of their top defenseman
(Nicklas Grossman).
On the other side, the Flames are 8-1-2 in their last 11
games and are 16-9-3 at home this season.
For the total, NHL odds makers have set 5.5 as tonight's magic number, but it is worth noting that 21 of the last 26
meetings between the teams have stayed under. Considering how much trouble the
Stars are having at lighting the lamp, it might be worth a look in this spot as
well.
For the side, though, bet the Flames at your favorite sportsbook to get
the win on Wednesday.
Pick: Flames