PPG Paints Arena will be hosting an East-West tilt as the Dallas Stars visit Western PA to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. This one gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 11 and it’ll be showcased live on NBC Sports Network.
Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Dallas (+140) is entering this one as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-160) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
The Penguins are 39-30 straight up (SU) and have earned 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 1st in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last years regular season campaign. Through 69 regular season outings, 37 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 25-9 SU at home this season.
Pittsburgh currently touts the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 26.0 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five matchups home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Matt Murray (25 wins, 16 losses, and two OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Penguins this season. If they choose to rest him, however, head coach Mike Sullivan may roll with Tristan Jarry (14-11-11 record, .910 save percentage, 2.76 goals against average).
The Pens will continue seeking leadership via Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Malkin (85 points) is up to 38 goals and 47 assists and has recorded multiple points 22 times this year. Kessel has 28 goals and 49 assists to his name and has notched a point in 48 games.
On the other side of the ice, Dallas is 38-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 68 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and just two have pushed. Dallas 14-17 SU as the road team this season.
Dallas has converted on 19.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.4 percent of all penalties.
Dallas skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Ben Bishop (2.49 goals against average and .917 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas. Bishop is averaging 25.3 saves per game and owns a 26-25-5 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Stars will be Tyler Seguin (36 goals, 28 assists) and Jamie Benn (23 goals, 37 assists).
Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Pittsburgh is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Dallas is 4-2 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
- Dallas has managed 30.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 39.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Over Dallas last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- The Penguins this season have handed the sixth-most hits per game (24.0).
