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Game 2: Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks NHL Gambling Prediction & Lines

Stars vs Ducks Hockey Betting?

The Dallas Stars hope to build on the momentum they garnered in the last half of Game 1 when they visit the Duck Pond again; trying to even the series before it shifts back to Dallas for Game 3.

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Dallas (40-32-6-5) at Anaheim (55-20-2-6)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, April 18, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: TSN, RDS (JIP), NBCSN, FS-SW, PRIME
Ducks Lead Series 1-0
Stars vs. Ducks Betting Lines
Dallas Stars +1½ -190 +158 Ov 5½ +107
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +165 -174 Un 5½ -118

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Both teams took some positives from Wednesday night’s opener – for Dallas it was the way they came back after going down 4-0 only to lose 4-3. For the Ducks the positive news came in the form of team leader Ryan Getzlaf who will apparently suit up after getting hit in the face with a Tyler Seguin shot in the waning moments of the opener. As expected, offense was plentiful in Game 1 – something that should continue as two of the best offensive teams lace ’em up again Friday night.

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The Dallas Stars played a pretty good game Wednesday night – they fired 35 shots at Frederik Andersen and their top dogs were dominant each and every time they were on the ice. With many Stars’ playoff debuts under their belts, expect a more poised Dallas team on Friday night.

Dallas’ top line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Valeri Nichushkin combined for two goals, an assist and 14 shots – a good sign for the Stars heading into Game 2. Seguin now has six goals in his past nine games, including a third-period goal Wednesday while Benn has three goals and three assists in his past five games. They were far from shut down and all of the attention this trio got hardly limited their output. If Dallas’s fortunes lie on their top line then they look OK in the underdog role.
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The problem with the Stars was the play of Kari Lehtonen who looked shaky in his first playoff start since 2007. Lehtonen made 31 saves Wednesday but didn’t look great, particularly in the first period.

The Anaheim Ducks stormed out of the gate in Game 1 but relaxed a bit and let the Stars back in the opener. Although satisfied with a Game 1 win, to a man they know they have to be better going forward. The big news is that Ryan Getzlaf sustained no major damage after getting a puck in the face. He’s cut, he’s ugly, but he is a hockey player and should be on the ice Friday night.

Four unanswered goals to start the game and three points combined from Getzlaf and Corey Perry was exactly what the doctor ordered and an OK game from goaltender Frederik Andersen was a nice surprise. Putting 60 minutes together has got to be the focus for the West’s top seed as they head into Game 2. Of concern is the health of Matt Beleskey who had a goal and an assist Wednesday – he left Game 1 and is highly questionable for Game 2.

Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• Under is 7-2 in DAL last 9 Fri. games.
• DAL are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. Pacific.
• Over is 8-3 in ANA last 11 overall.
• Over is 8-3 in ANA last 11 vs. Western Conference.
• Over is 5-2-1 in ANA last 8 Fri. games.
• Over is 14-5 in the last 19 meetings in Anaheim.

The Dallas Stars definitely didn’t look intimidated in the second half of the opener – expect their confidence to continue to grow as we head deeper into the series. While a hunch tells me the Stars ride their momentum to a win Friday night, I am staying away from the Moneyline in favor of betting the Over again.

These teams can fill the net and with Lehtonen looking vulnerable and the combination of Seguin and Benn looking typically potent, expect another high scoring game Friday.

Pick: the Over – 5 1/2 goals

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.