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NHL Free Pick: Stars vs. Ducks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Dallas Stars taking on the Anaheim Ducks April 8 at Honda Centre. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The newly eliminated Dallas Stars will officially hit the ice in a spoiler role Wednesday night when they take on the Anaheim Ducks who will be eager to avenge a 4-2 loss over Colorado Friday.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Dallas (39-31-7-3) at Anaheim (50-23-2-5)
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: NBCSN, SN
Stars NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -180 +166
Ducks NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +160 -185
NHL Over Under Betting Odds: Under 5½ +114
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Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview

While the Stars have little to play for, the Ducks have a ton on the line – first place in the West and a possible President’s Trophy is still within reach. Anaheim has won both meetings between the teams this season – both in Dallas.

Dallas has quietly playing some decent hockey the last six weeks – a little too little, a little too late! They are 12-5 in their last 17 games overall and are coming off a 5-1 win Monday at San Jose. Dallas has won three straight road games and seven of eight games away from home but they will have their hands full in Anaheim Wednesday for sure.

If Dallas is going to end the season on a strong note, it will be the offense that carries them. The team is scoring a Western Conference best 3.11 goals per game but is still surrendering 3.20 per game.

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Jamie Benn has eight goals and 13 points in his past eight games, Tyler Seguin has nine points in five games, Travis Moen has three points in three games and Colton Sceviour has three points in his last two games. The Stars have a sensational power play – it is 29.9% since the All Star break.

Dallas can and will score goals. The biggest question is whether or not they will be able to keep the puck out of their own goal.

The Stars are one of the worst teams in the NHL in terms of defense – they allow 3.20 goals per game. Kari Lehtonen will likely get he call in goal for Dallas – he is 0-2-0 with an ugly 6.82 GAA and .737 save percentage in his last two starts. Jhonas Enroth may be a better option – he is 2-0-0 with a 1.58 GAA and .939 save percentage in his last four appearances.

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The Anaheim Ducks seem to be doing everything well as we close out the Regular Season – they have been scoring goals and they have been defending like a team poised for a long run in this year’s playoffs. They have won four of their last five games and will be eager to avenge a 4-2 loss the last time they played – way back on Friday.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Anaheim’s recent run is the defense that they have been playing. The Ducks have allowed just 10 goals in their last five games combined – the goaltending has overcome a rough patch to inspire confidence for what is the West’s most complete team. Frederik Andersen is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .944 save percentage in his last two starts.

Anaheim’s defense will be paramount Wednesday – the Stars are a force on offense.

Offensively the Ducks are averaging 2.82 goals per game – pretty good. They have scored 18 goals in their last six games and have been getting typically balanced scoring over that span. Jakob Silfverberg has three points in two games, Juri Sekac, Andrew Cogliano and Corey Perry each have two points in two games and Francois Beauchemin has three points in three games. Ryan Getzlaf is absent from the Hot List but we all know what he is capable of.

Perhaps the biggest boon for the Ducks is the potential return of three starters from injury.

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Matt Beleskey, Clayton Stoner and Tim Jackman could all return to the lineup making a great team even better.

NHL Gambling Trends

• DAL are 7-1 in their last 8 road games.
• DAL are 12-4 in their last 16 vs. Pacific.
• Over is 21-8-2 in DAL last 31 Wed. games.
• ANA are 35-17 in their last 52 vs. Central.
• ANA are 59-29 in their last 88 home games.
• Over is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings in Anaheim.

The last trend above is the one that jumps out at me – the Over is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings in Anaheim. I expect goals to be scored Monday night and for the Over to rule again. Anaheim should be a motivated club while Dallas can score but not defend.

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

It all adds up to a high scoring affair Wednesday – play the Over with confidence.

The Over – 5 ½ goals

CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.