Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our team here at Last Word on Hockey breaks down head-to-head matchups and other key elements that may influence the outcome of each game. This edition of NHL Predictions looks at the Friday, December 27th, 2024 matchup between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
NHL Predictions Head-to-Head: Stars 1-0 Wild
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Victory+; ESPN+; Sportsnet; FDSNNO
The Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild return to the ice in Dallas for a Central Division clash after a brief Christmas break. It’s the second time the franchises will face off this season, and they are separated by just six points in the standings.
Dallas and Minnesota previously met on November 16, with the Stars emerging with a 2-1 regulation victory. Stars forward Mason Marchment scored twice. Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov cut the deficit to one late in the third period, but the Wild never found the equalizer.
The two teams are always tied to each other because of Dallas’ move from Minnesota in the 1990s and have formed a bit of a natural rivalry. The latest installment will be crucial for a Dallas team trying to make up ground in the division with two huge points in the standings and just two meetings with the Wild during the 2025 portion of the season.
Dallas Stars Story
After going 3-3 during a six-game homestand, Dallas entered the break with a 3-2 road win against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday. Forward Roope Hintz continued his recent hot streak with his 15th goal of the season, and Jamie Benn and Colin Blackwell added to the scoring. Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith earned a rare win with 24 saves, besting Utah for the second time.
Dallas’ defence has faced some adversity this season, missing several key contributors due to illness and injuries. Still, the goaltending numbers are among the NHL’s best, and defencemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell have stepped up with big minutes.
The Stars tend to play Minnesota well, posting a 6-0-1 mark in the last seven meetings and outscoring the Wild 30-9 in that span. Hintz has a 10-game point streak against Minnesota at home, and Benn has points in 11 of his last 12 appearances in this series. Both players will obviously be important in this game, but Dallas will need more to secure a pivotal divisional win before the New Year.
Minnesota Wild Story
Minnesota sits in second place in the Central Division at 21-10-4. The Wild have stayed ahead of the Stars all season but could be ripe for the picking. Minnesota has lost four of its last five games and is not a very potent offensive team. Outside of Kaprizov, only Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi have double-digit goals and at least 20 points. Boldy has been cold in December with just two goals and six points in 11 games.
The Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Monday, snapping a losing streak as it hit the road. Kaprizov netted his 23rd goal of the year in the first period, and Brock Faber and Marcus Foligno added third-period tallies to pull away. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson notched another win. He has been fantastic this year, ranking fourth in the NHL in goals-against average, third in save percentage, and tied for fifth with 15 wins.
The Wild is five points behind division-leader Winnipeg in the Central and can use a win to make up ground on the Jets and further separate itself from Dallas and Colorado.
NHL Predictions
Dallas has a great home record despite the struggles of its recent homestand and a good recent track record against Minnesota. The Stars also seem to have found more signs of life offensively. But can that carry over after the break? While Minnesota won’t light the lamp at will, the goaltending on both sides will keep this game close, as most meetings are with these two clubs. Dallas tends to let teams hang around too long at times. They got away with it once against Minnesota but having to do it again could cost the Stars valuable points in the standings.
Prediction: Wild win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
Kaprizov at +150 to have multiple points in this game is a good place to start with his season so far and his successful track record against Dallas. If Minnesota gets its scorers rolling, he’ll almost certainly be involved. Dallas’ Mason Marchment has been one of the Stars most productive players this season but has hit a lull in December. He’s bound to break out of it at some point and has four points in his last two games against Minnesota. He enters Friday at +100 to collect a point and +500 to get two points.
Main Photo Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
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