Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Vancouver Canucks face the Dallas Stars with both teams heading in opposite directions this season. The Canucks have a 23-31-5 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games have fallen to the bottom of the Pacific Division. The Stars have a 31-16-12 record and are in first place in the Central Division. Both teams look to improve in their divisions and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.

Canucks have been let down by their defense

The Canucks are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.32 goals per game. Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Andrei Kuzmenko have scored 75 goals and 105 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Dakota Joshua have combined for 31 goals and 53 assists while defenseman Quinn Hughes has added five goals and 49 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense is one of the worst in the league, allowing 3.97 goals per game with 10 goals in the last three games. Quinn Hughes and Ethan Bear have combined for 4.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Collin Delia has struggled with a .876 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average on 395 shots with -11.7 goals saved above average.

Stars have been carried by defense this season

The Stars are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.19 goals per game. Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, and Roope Hintz have scored 82 goals and 93 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, and Wyatt Johnston have combined for 43 goals and 68 assists while defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell have added 13 goals and 45 assists from the point to help open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Stars, allowing only 2.56 goals per game with only two goals in their last game. Esa Lindell and Jani Hakanpaa have combined for 8.6 defensive point shares and 214 blocked shots while Miro Heiskanen and Colin Miller have combined for 7.1 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Jake Oettinger has been great with a .926 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average on 1290 shots with 25.9 goals saved above average.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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The Canucks are looking to pull off the upset but the Stars are one of the best teams in the Western Conference and I see them controlling this game from the first period. The Stars should pile on the goals against a Canucks defense that allows 3.97 goals per game with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Stars, who allow only 2.56 goals per game, should limit the Canucks offense with Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jake Oettinger to blank the shots on the net. The Stars should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on their home ice.

Prediction: Stars -1.5 (-110)

Full-Game Total Pick

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Both teams have great offenses and I see this game being a high scoring one from the first period. The Canucks, who average 3.32 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with effective puck movement. The Stars, who average 3.19 goals per game, should run up the score against a Canucks defense that has allowed 10 goals in their last three games, with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Tyler Seguin, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defenseman Miro Heiskanen picks apart the Canucks defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.

Take the Over on 6 goals.

Prediction: Over 6

Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.