Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild: Stars to Try to Beat Surgin Wild on the Road

• The Dallas Stars have won three of their last four games.
• The Minnesota Wild have won seven of their last eight games.
• The Wild will be without Mason Shaw as he serves a two-game suspension.

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Odds

Odds Taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Picks

• Minnesota Wild beat Dallas Stars 4-3 
• Dallas Stars cover 
• Over 6 goals

Head-to-Head: Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild

Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild Predictions

The Dallas Stars are traveling to the cold to face the Minnesota Wild. The Stars are having a surprisingly strong season. Their 48 points are the second-most in the Western Conference, putting them first in the Central Division. A win today would cement that spot, and a loss would allow the Winnipeg Jets to inch closer to it. The Wild are in third place in the Western Conference with 42 points but have played two fewer games than the Stars. A win today would push them into second place.

The Stars have an outstanding offense centered around Jason Robertson. They average over 3.5 goals per game and have a couple of other weapons outside of Robertson. Defensively, they are not solid, but their offense usually makes up for their defense. 

The Stars’ offense is high-powered and electric. It is led by Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, and Jamie Benn. Robertson leads the Stars with 24 goals (the fourth-most in the NHL). Hintz is also a very talented player. His 40 points are the second-most on the team. Pavelski is an intelligent player and leads the Stars in TOI at 22:01. Benn plays the least of this group but still has 14 goals and 20 assists. 

Jake Oettinger has a firm grasp of the #1 goaltending spot. He will not be an all-star, but he is consistent and a top-ten netminder. His 15 wins are tied for the fifth-most in the NHL.

The Wild had a slow start to the season but have been playing excellent hockey as of late. Minnesota has won seven of its last eight games and have been averaging nearly 3.4 goals a game during this time. Overall, the Wilds’ numbers are not particularly impressive, but they have been outstanding over the last two and a half weeks.

The Wild’s offense is not nearly as good as the Stars,’ but it is decent. Offensively, Minnesota is led by two players: Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. Kaprizov is arguably the best player on the Wild. He leads the Wild in points (44), goals (19), and assists (25). Zuccarello is not as good as Kaprizov but is still a threat. His 39 points are the second-most on the Wild.

Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson make up Minnesota’s goaltending duo. Neither of them are excellent, but they make a good pair. Fleury and Gustavsson combine for a 2.79 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

The Wild are playing better hockey this month and firing on all cylinders. Bet on them to win this one at home.

Why Might the Dallas Stars Win?

The Stars are the underdogs but can win if they draw penalties and pass to Jason Robertson.

The Stars have the seventh-best power play unit in the NHL and convert over 26% of their opportunities. Dallas is effective with a man advantage, and over 23% of their goals have come on the power play. The Stars must draw penalties and get this unit on the ice as much as possible.

I cannot say enough good things about Jason Robertson. Robertson is a skilled player and dangerous scorer, which is why his teammates must give him the puck. If they give him the puck, he will either score or set up someone else to score.

Why Might the Minnesota Wild Win?

The Wild are expected to win but will only do so if they play aggressive defense and score first.

The Wild need to set the tone early and can do so by playing aggressive defense. Players like Jason Robertson will not perform as well if they come out aggressively on the defensive side. In addition, in hockey, defense often leads to offense.

The Wild may have home-ice advantage, but they still need to score first. If they do, they will change the whole game dynamic and improve their chances.

Stars Key Players: (LW) Jason Robertson

This is the most obvious choice. Jason Robertson is having a spectacular season and in the running for the Hart Trophy. The winger from California is an incredibly talented scorer and a strong passer. 

Robertson needs to come out hot and look for his shot today (as he does every game). If he does, he may be the difference between a win and a loss. 

Wild Key Player: (D) Jonas Brodin

Jonas Brodin is arguably the top defenseman on the Wild. He only has four points (all assists), but he also leads the Wild in TOI at 22:01.

Brodin will likely be tasked with slowing down Jason Robertson. This is a tough task, as Robertson is one of the best wingers in the NHL, but it is one that must be done. If Brodin figures out how to slow Robertson, the Wild can run away with this game.

How to Watch Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild

• What - Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
• Where - Xcel Energy Center, St Paul Minnesota
• When - Thursday, December 29, 8:00 PM EST
• How to Watch - NHLPP, ESPN+