The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators meet on Thursday night in NHL action at Bridgestone Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and identify the best bets for this game. Here is a prediction for Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars.

Dallas Stars team preview

The Dallas Stars begin the 2024-25 season with the goal of finally overcoming the crisis and win their first division title since 2015-16 with a record of 52-21-9. However, the Stars failed to advance to the Cup Finals, losing in the conference finals for the second consecutive year, this time to the Edmonton Oilers in six games. The Stars kept their top spot mostly intact, with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz back, although Joe Pavelski talked about retirement. However, the Stars still return seven different 20-goal scorers from last year, including top scorer Wyatt Johnston, who led the Stars in goals and points.

Defensively, the stars are a bit top-heavy after top line Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell, but Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin and Brendan Smith were brought in to provide more depth. Jake Oettinger retains his spot on the Stars’ roster and will likely see the bulk of the action, while Casey DeSmith will serve as Oettinger’s backup this season. The Stars will face the Islanders after this game.

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The Stars have won each of their last four games at Bridgestone Arena.
• The Predators have lost each of their last four home games against Western Conference opponents.
• The away team has covered the puck line in each of the Predators’ last five games.
• The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in any of their last three home games against Western Conference opponents.

Nashville Predators team preview

The Nashville Predators enter the 2024-25 season hoping to maintain the status quo after a record of 47-30-5 and 4^Th in the Central Division, but it was enough for Nashville to reach the playoffs for the 9th^Th time in the last 10 seasons. The Preds’ stay was short-lived as they were knocked out in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks. The Predators made the biggest splash in the league in free agency, signing two Stanley Cup winners in Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, as well as returnees like Ryan O’Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist as the final three to make up Nashville’s top group , who scored almost 100 goals last season.

On the defensive, Roman Josi is back as team captain after a 2-0 win^nd He had a 20-goal season in the last three years, and Brady Skjei was brought in in free agency to fit alongside Josi. Alex Carrier, Luke Schenn and Jeremy Lauzon are also back in Nashville’s defensive group. Juuse Saros signed an eight-year contract extension to become the franchise goalkeeper in the Music City. The Predators then play against the Red Wings.

Why the Nashville Predators will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Predators’ last five games.
• As favorites, the Stars have lost three of their last four games.
• The Predators have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as favorites against Central Division opponents.

Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Prediction

I’m here on the stars. The Stars have worn the Predators’ number in the past and had some success in this matchup. The Preds scored some of the most goals in the offseason by bringing in proven scorers like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault while also bolstering depth in goal by bringing in Scott Wedgewood to back up Juuse Saros. The thing with Nashville here, though, is that it’s going to take time for these new pieces to fall into place, and I think Dallas, which was one of the NHL’s most consistent teams home and away last season, can do it here early this year correct. Give me Dallas.