Carolina (27-16-3) at Dallas (29-16-1)
- When: Jan 21 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- TV: ESPN+/Hulu
Game Preview
The Dallas Stars are slight favorites as they prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in a Tuesday night showdown, with the moneyline set at -122 and the total sitting at 5.5. Both teams come into this matchup riding some momentum, but the dynamics and recent trends make this a fascinating game for bettors to dissect.
Hurricanes: Relying on Familiar Faces
Carolina has found success through its core players, as evidenced by their gritty 4-3 overtime win against Chicago on Monday. Sebastian Aho delivered the game-winning goal, continuing his trend as the team’s offensive spark. Meanwhile, captain Jordan Staal played hero with a game-tying goal in the third period, marking his 700th career NHL point.
The Hurricanes, however, have shown inconsistencies. Their overall play hasn’t always been polished, but they’ve been finding ways to win. With Frederik Andersen starting on Monday, expect Pyotr Kochetkov to take the net Tuesday against Dallas.
Stars: New Faces Stepping Up
The Stars are 10-3-1 in their last 14 games, overcoming injuries to key players like Roope Hintz, Mason Marchment, and Tyler Seguin. Coach Pete DeBoer has turned to young talent, with Matej Blumel and Justin Hryckowian stepping up on the fourth line. Their contributions helped Dallas secure a solid 4-1 win over Detroit on Sunday.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has also been a key factor, consistently anchoring the defense. Oettinger praised the team’s depth: “When guys are called up, they’ve made their mark and shown they belong.”
With several stars sidelined, the team has shifted to a more defensively detailed approach, a strategy DeBoer said is necessary under the circumstances: “We’re not going to outscore teams without some of our top guys, so we need to play tight and disciplined.”
Key Matchup Notes:
Carolina’s Road Challenges: The Hurricanes face a tough task playing on back-to-back nights after traveling to Dallas. Fatigue could be a factor.
Dallas’ Defensive Edge: The Stars have been stout at home, and with Oettinger likely in goal, they have the upper hand defensively.
Past Meeting: Carolina defeated Dallas 6-4 on Nov. 25, rallying with five third-period goals. However, the Hurricanes relied on a now-minor-league goalie, making this a different dynamic.
Prediction and Betting Tips:
The Stars are well-rested and playing at home, where their defensive structure and depth should shine against a Hurricanes team coming off a taxing game. While Carolina’s Aho and Staal remain threats, Dallas’ disciplined style gives them the edge.
Best Bets:
Dallas Stars Moneyline (-122): With home-ice advantage and fresher legs, the Stars should outlast the Hurricanes.
Under 5.5 Goals: Both teams are dealing with lineup changes, and a tighter, lower-scoring game is likely.
Dallas’ ability to adapt to adversity makes them a strong pick to continue their momentum in this matchup.
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
