Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Anaheim Ducks (16-30-1) started the 2023-24 season well, but it's been all down hill ever since, and while they're finding plenty of development and improvement from their impressive young core, it appears as though the season is over before the All-Star break, and that's something that they will look to improve upon next season.

In this one they'll face an uphill battle as they face off against the Dallas Stars (28-13-6), who came into 2023-24 with expectations of a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run, and while they sit third in the Central Division, this is a deep, well-rounded team that will no doubt be a major factor in the Western Conference when the playoffs roll around.

Can the Ducks pick up a huge upset win?

The Anaheim Ducks future has been bright for a number of years now, but unfortunately they have struggled to put together a winning season, and that hasn't changed as of late, with just four wins in their past 16 games played, putting them in seventh place in the Pacific Division, with any hopes of a playoff run in 2023-24 already dashed. On the road this year, the Ducks have been a respectable 9-13-0, but with a -43 goal differential on the season, there's still plenty of them to improve upon if they want to become a force in the Western Conference for years to come.

Despite their overall struggles, both Frank Vatrano (34 points) and Troy Terry (32 points) have been solid for Anaheim this season, and in net they've been even better, with their two goaltenders combining for a 3.45 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Last time out for Anaheim was an impressive win over the Buffalo Sabres, with two goals to Jakob Silfverberg leading the way while John Gibson starred in net, stopping 28 of the 30 shots he saw for the decisive 4-2 victory.

Can the Stars chase down the top teams in the Central?

The Dallas Stars are one of the most star studded teams in the entire NHL, and while they've been outshone by the Jets and the Avalanche atop the Central Division, they have posted a solid 6-2-1 record over their past nine games, keeping them within striking distance of both of those talented teams. At home this season, the Stars have been absolutely dominant with a 13-5-4 record in 22 games, and with a goal differential of +29 on the season, they continue to grow and improve, and with a move or two at the March 8 trade deadline, this is a team that could be favored in the Western Conference in 2023-24.

Leading the way for the Stars this season has been the star quartet of Robertson, Hintz, Pavelski and Duchene, all with over 40 points on the year, and in net they've unsurprisingly dominated, posting a combined 3.04 GAA and a .903 save percentage. Last time out for the Stars was a big win over the Detroit Red Wings, with a combined six points from Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz and a 30 save night from Jake Oettinger as the Stars picked up a huge 5-4 victory over Detroit.

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Rating:

These two teams haven't faced off as much as other teams in the Western Conference, with just 10 games played dating back to the 2018 season, and over that time, the Stars have unsurprisingly been the dominant party, posting an 8-2 record over that time.

During those 10 games, four games have taken place in Dallas, with the Stars winning all four by a combined score of 14-5, and with way too much firepower all over the ice, this should be another win for the playoff hungry Stars.

Prediction: Dallas -1.5

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

These teams both have explosive offensive talents that are capable of putting up plenty of goals, but when they do battle, it's the goaltending matchup of John Gibson vs. Jake Oettinger that shines quite a lot, with the under sitting at 8-2 over their past 10 games, with an average of 4.8 goals per game over that time.

For the Ducks, the under is 5-4-1 in their past 10 overall games, with just 12 goals scored in their past five games played away from home, and for the Stars, the under is 4-6 over that time, with just 13 goals allowed in their past five games played at home, so while this should be a one-sided affair, the goaltenders will shine in this one.

Keep it simple, take the under.