Stars vs Predators Picks and Prediction – 4/17/2025

Dallas has dropped five straight games coming into this one, most recently falling 6-4 in Detroit. The losing streak includes two losses in overtime and a shutout loss to Winnipeg, so it’s been rough. Even with this skid, the Stars sit at 50-25-6 and second in the Central. Nashville has had a brutal season overall, holding a 29-44-8 record. They were blown out 7-3 by Utah on Sunday and are just trying to wrap things up respectably. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Dallas still has offensive firepower, averaging 3.38 goals per game while allowing 2.68. Jason Robertson leads the team with 35 goals, and Matt Duchene has posted 81 points. The power play is clicking at 22.5%, and the penalty kill sits at 82.1% - both strong. Goaltender Jake Oettinger has a solid 2.53 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Defense is a concern heading into this one, with Miro Heiskanen out and three other key defensemen listed as day-to-day, which could impact puck movement and zone clears.

Nashville is playing out the poor season, and it's showing. The Predators have given up 15 goals over the last two games and just got wrecked by Utah. The last win was a shootout win over Utah on the 10th, but the defense is a disaster right now. Filip Forsberg is the lone bright spot, notching 74 points, including 31 goals this season.

Defensively, it’s ugly — Nashville is giving up 3.37 goals per game, and goaltending is struggling. Juuse Saros has a 3.02 GAA and an .894 save percentage, and Ivan Annunen isn’t any better. The penalty kill is only operating at 81%, and the power play has 49 goals on the year, clicking at 21.8%. Colton Sissons and Andreas Englund are both questionable, which won’t help the depth in the middle or along the blue line.

Even on a five-game skid, Dallas is the more complete team with a much stronger offensive core and better goaltending. The Predators are giving up goals left and right and don’t have the defensive structure to stop Robertson, Duchene, and company. Even with key defensive injuries, Dallas should handle business here. Final Score Prediction: Dallas Stars win 5-2.