Feel free to take a look at the best Rangers vs. Stars betting pick and odds, as we have an intriguing inter-conference duel at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, March 12.
The Stars are looking to sweep the season series after a 3-2 overtime win in New York back in October 2021. According to DraftKings NY, the Stars are -130 favorites, while the total is set at 5.5 goals.
Rangers looking for offensive rhythm
The New York Rangers (36-17-5) will conclude their four-game road trip on Saturday and are looking to avoid the third consecutive defeat after losing to Minnesota and St. Louis. Both offense and defense didn’t work in those losses, and New York is hoping to bounce back here.
The Blues decided the tilt in the opening two periods as they scored six goals and then controlled the situation in the final 20 minutes to secure a comfortable 6-2 victory. Ryan Strome and K’Andre Miller scored powerplay goals for the Rangers, while Adam Fox recorded a couple of assists.
Igor Shesterkin will start at the goal against the Stars. The 27-year-old goaltender has a 28-7-2-1 record this season with a 2.02 GAA and a .939 save percentage with three shutouts. The Rangers are allowing 2.55 goals per game (3rd in the NHL) and are scoring 2.91 on the other end (18th) on a 10.2 shooting percentage (10th).
Stars’ four-game winning run snapped in Nashville
The Dallas Stars were in fine form of four consecutive wins, but they couldn’t make it five in a row as the Nashville Predators edged them in a low-scoring affair in Tennessee. With that 2-1 defeat, the Stars ended a three-game road trip but will be back on a new four-game road trip after this clash with the Rangers.
The tilt in Nashville was scoreless until the third period when John Klingberg put Dallas 1-0 up, but goalie Jake Oettinger surrendered a pair of goals in the final seven minutes. Oettinger finished the game with 29 saves.
The 24-year-old goaltender will start for the Stars yet again when they face the Rangers. He has a 19-7-0-1 record this season with a 2.30 GAA and a .922 save percentage with one shutout. The Stars allow 2.86 goals per game (13th in the NHL) and score 2.91 a night (19th) on a 9.5 shooting percentage (17th).
Trends:
New York:
- 2-5 in the last seven games on the road
- 2-6 in the last eight games against Dallas
- 1-5 in the last six games as a road underdog
Dallas:
- 4-1 in the last five games
- 5-1 in the last six games at home
- 6-1 in the last seven vs. Eastern Conference rivals
- 6-1 in the last seven vs. Metropolitan rivals
New York Rangers vs. Dallas Stars Picks
I expect the Rangers to display a better performance from their previous two games, but they will find it hard to win in Dallas on Saturday. The Stars had more success in recent H2H duels and against the Eastern Conference opponents in general. Dallas is 20-7-1 at home and won five of the last six at American Airlines Center, including each of the past three.
The Stars are not massive favorites, not at all, and I surely think it’s going to be a close clash. However, at the moment, Dallas is playing better and they have home-ice advantage, so I am backing the Stars to clinch the season series here.
Pick: Take the Dallas Stars at -130
The Total
After scoring just two goals in losses to Minnesota and St. Louis, I am backing the Rangers to perform better on offense against Dallas. Igor Shesterkin is having a monster season at the goal for the Rangers, but it will be tough to contain the Stars to two or fewer goals. Dallas scored at least three in seven of the last eight home games.
The total has gone Over in four of the Rangers’ last six games, the total went Over in four of the Rangers’ previous five games against an opponent in the Western Conference, while the total has gone Over in 4 of Dallas’ last five games.
Pick: Go Over 5.5 at (-110)
