Predators vs Stars Picks and Prediction – 1/13/2024

The ice at the American Airlines Center is set for an electric showdown as the Nashville Predators, standing 4th in the Central with a 22-18-1 record, face off against the Dallas Stars, 3rd in the same division at 24-11-5. This matchup promises to be a gripping contest between two closely ranked Central division rivals. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Nashville Predators, after a recent victory over Dallas (4-3), carry momentum into this game. The offense averages 3.10 goals per game, with Filip Forsberg leading the team with 45 points. Forsberg’s influence extends beyond scoring, as he also tops the team in shots (159) and plus-minus (+7). However, Nashville's defense has shown vulnerability, conceding an average of 3.2 goals per game, ranking 19th in the league. 

Goaltending has been a concern, with Juuse Saros holding a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.09 and a save percentage (SV%) of .899, which are areas the Predators need to bolster. The power play, converting at 20.8%, is crucial, but the penalty kill efficiency stands at a lower 76.7%, indicating a potential area for Dallas to exploit. Nashville’s recent form has been inconsistent, as evident in the last ten games (5-5-0).

Dallas Stars, just a notch above Nashville in the standings, boast a formidable offense, ranked 2nd in the league with 3.7 goals per game. Jason Robertson, leading the team with 41 points, has been a significant contributor, alongside Mason Marchment, who stands out with a team-best +16 plus-minus. Defensively, the Stars are more robust than the Predators, allowing an average of 3.0 goals per game and ranking 14th in the league. 

The penalty kill is notably strong, operating at an impressive 85.2%, which could counter Nashville’s power play threat effectively. Goaltending has been a mixed bag, with Scott Wedgewood achieving 12 wins but a recent injury to Jake Oettinger could affect stability in net. The Stars have shown better recent form compared to Nashville, with a record of 6-3-1 in the last ten games.