Dallas Stars vs. Los Angeles Kings Big Prediction, Odds, and the Best Bet for the Game

The Dallas Stars are coming into tonight with a 34-18-1 record as they head to Los Angeles to face the Kings and their 28-17-6 record at Crypto.com Arena. Both teams are undoubtedly in playoff contention, and this matchup could have significant implications as the Stars look to close the gap with Winnipeg who sits comfortably atop the Central Division. Meanwhile, the Kings aim to make some ground on the top spot in the Pacific Division standings.

This is a late game as the puck drops at 9:30 PM (ET) on ESPN+, with both teams listed at -110 on the moneyline. That tells us this is going to be a great matchup and could go either way. Here’s what to expect for tonight and our best bet for this Western Conference showdown.

Odds, Recent Form, and Key Insights

The Stars have been more consistent lately. They’ve gone 6-4-0 in their last 10 games and look fairly solid. The Kings, on the other hand, have struggled at 4-5-1 during the same 10-game stretch. However, keep in mind that the Kings got the better of Dallas in their lone meeting this season, winning 3-2 a couple of weeks ago.

Both teams are scoring at solid rates, but the Stars have a moderate edge with 3.17 goals per game compared to the Kings’ 2.84 GPG. Dallas also sneaks in a slight lead when it comes to defensive metrics as they’ve allowed just 2.47 goals per game to Los Angeles’ 2.53.

One area to look at is the Kings boast a strong home record and the goaltending of Darcy Kuemper, whose .919 save percentage ranks 5th overall in the NHL. The Stars counter Kuemper with Jake Oettinger, who has been dependable with 26 wins, a 2.31 GAA, and a .912 save percentage. He’s not looking as good as his old self, but still getting the job done for the Stars.

Both teams’ recent games have leaned toward higher-scoring games with the exception of one game for the Stars. So, it goes to say that the over has hit in 5 of Dallas’ last 10 games and 6 of Los Angeles’. The set total of 5.5 goals with even odds could come into play, as both teams have shown they can score in droves when they get hot. It really boils down to how well the netminders do tonight.

Injuries and Matchups

Dallas will be without a few key players like Miro Heiskanen (IR) and Tyler Seguin (IR), which slightly hampers their defensive depth and secondary scoring. They’ve been getting the job done, however, as Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz continue to drive the offense, combining for 72 points on the season. When they get those two powerhouses back this team will be unstoppable.

Los Angeles also has its share of injuries, with Drew Doughty out and others like Mikey Anderson listed as day-to-day, but expecting to make a potential return for tonight. Offensively, Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar are the dominant driving forces for the Kings as Kempe leads the team with 24 goals, while Kopitar’s playmaking has been key with 32 helpers. When this combo gets hot, they can control the pace of the game.

The Kings’ home advantage at Crypto.com Arena also shouldn’t be overlooked. They’ve gone 16-7-2 at home this season, though Dallas’ strong road record of 17-8-1 tells us that they’re more than capable of thriving in hostile environments like they’ll find in Los Angeles.

Stars vs Kings Prediction and Best Bet

After considering the stats and recency of these two dominant teams, we think this game will likely be a defensive battle. With both teams relying on their hot goaltenders to keep things close, we’re leaning toward taking the under for tonight’s matchup.

However, we have to give this game to Dallas, Their offensive depth and recent form give them the edge considering they have a more balanced attack, with contributions from players like Robertson, Hintz, and Thomas Harley, whose +26 rating highlights his 2-way play.

On top of that, the Kings’ scoring has cooled in recent games. They’re averaging just 2.4 goals per game over their last 5 contests, which is generally not like them, but it could be a result of some of the injuries they have. Meanwhile, the Stars have shown they can adjust to different styles of play, as shown by their recent win against a physical Columbus team and their overtime victory against Vegas. These are some of the best teams in the league, so that’s something you have to consider.

• HelloRookie’s Prediction: Stars 3, Kings 2
• Best Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline (-110)

With their slightly superior offense and strong goaltending from Oettinger, the Stars should have no problem edging out the Kings in what we think will be a tight game. We expect Dallas to avenge their earlier loss to Los Angeles and solidify their place as one of the Western Conference’s top teams.

Get your bets in and even check out some of the props as this is going to be the NHL game of the night.