The current Minnesota NHL franchise will face the former
Minnesota franchise with a chance to potentially spoil their season on Sunday
night.
Depending on what happens in the Detroit Red
Wings-Chicago Blackhawks contest earlier in the day, the Dallas Stars matchup
with the Wild could have playoff implications. If the Blackhawks fail to secure
a point, Dallas can qualify for the playoffs with a win.
You’ll have to keep an eye on the Red Wings-Blackhawks
matchup from earlier in the day to determine how to play this contest.
The Dallas Stars Can
Win Because…:
They are hot, The Minnesota Wild are not and they have more on the
line.
The Stars have won four straight and have been playing
with some desperation. In the meantime, the Wild have just three wins in their
last 14 games and have been playing as if they have thrown in the towel. Those
three wins have come against Edmonton (twice) and St. Louis; they aren’t
exactly beating anyone good.
It’s not only the fact that the Wild have been losing
games it’s the manner of which they have been failing as well. They have been
outscored 54-24 in their last 14 games, which indicates that they haven’t
scored much and have participated in a lot of one-sided games.
The same should happen on Sunday as Dallas has dominated
this series lately. The Stars have won six straight over Minnesota while
outscoring them 12-3 in the three wins this season. The Wild have just one win
in their last six at home, which indicates there isn’t much of an advantage
playing at Xcel Energy Center.
The Minnesota Wild
Can Win Because…:
The Stars could be completely deflated by game-time.
While it’s fairly clear who will have the edge if the
Blackhawks fail to register a point in their 12:30 PM ET game with the Red
Wings, but if the Blackhawks do get a win – or even a point – just as they did
when they beat the Red Wings 4-2 on Friday, Dallas would be eliminated from
postseason contention at that point. They won’t exactly be jacked up to play at
6:00 PM ET knowing that there is no longer anything on the line.
On the season, the Stars are just a mediocre road team,
going 20-17-3. Part of that is because goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been
noticeably better at home than away this season, posting a GAA of 2.37 at home
and just 2.72 on the road.
This is really all about what Dallas has to play for. If
the answer is nothing, then Minnesota can offer some value.
Outlook & NHL
Betting Prediction:
From a NHL betting perspective, you have to treat this as a
Week 17 game with an afternoon kickoff. What happens in the morning affair
greatly matters for this matchup and depending on that result, the Stars might
either be going all out or might be a little sour stepping onto the ice knowing
their season has just come to an end.
According to the NHL odds boards, the Blackhawks are heavily favored to win their game,
which leaves us assuming that this game won’t have much on the line. Even so,
the Stars will be the play in this contest because they have been playing well
lately and the Wild have been listless.
The Stars are a stronger play if they have something to
play for but otherwise, just lighten your load but stick with the same side.
Pick: Stars