2011 NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Stars vs Canucks
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Dallas Stars (31-21-6) at Vancouver Canucks (37-13-9)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 19, 2011, 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: CBC (HD), TXA 21 (HD)
Stars vs. Canucks Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Spread: OFF
Moneyline: Dallas +170: Vancouver -200
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
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The struggling Dallas Stars head into one of the toughest buildings in the NHL on Saturday night to take on a Canucks team that will be without five of its regulars on defense. The injury bug has hit hard in Vancouver but at least they can take some solace in the fact that the Stars will be without their best player, Brad Richards and one of their young studs Jamie Benn.
The Dallas Stars were an early season surprise and they looked like this year’s Phoenix Coyotes. But a recent 1-6-1 stretch has them spiraling out of the playoff race in the Western Conference. The Stars are 2-7-1 in their last 10 game and need to find a way to right the ship soon before some of their competitors leapfrog them in the standings.
Dallas owns the 18th ranked offense in the NHL – 2.7 goals per game. Without Richards and Benn, Brendan Morrow is the only really reliable force on offense for the Stars – Mike Ribiero has just one point in five games and Loui Eriksson has only one point in his last four. Goals are going to be difficult to come by for Dallas – they must rely on defense.
And defense is why they have struggled so mightily in the month of February. The Stars have tumbled to 16th in goals against, giving up an average of 2.8 goals per game. Kari Lehtonen is 1-5-0 in his last six starts with a 4.16 goals against average and in the month of February, he has a 3.25 goals against average.
The Vancouver Canucks have absolutely no luck but they are proving that they have depth and a system that breeds success. Vancouver will be without Alex Edler, Keith Ballard, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa and Andrew Alberts on defense – it is a good thing for a good farm team, good offense and a Stud goaltender. The Canucks remain in first place overall in the NHL and have won all three meetings with the Stars this season.
Vancouver has the second best offense in the NHL averaging 3.3 goals per game. Both Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler have 14 points in 14 games, Michael Sameulsson has been scorching and the previously ice-cold Manny Malhotra has recorded four points in his last four games. The Canucks are deep, they are talented and they are mighty scary for opposing defenses.
Vancouver is the best goals against average team in the NHL allowing 2.3 goals per game. Roberto Luongo has lost his last two starts but he was due after a stretch that saw him go 16-0-5. In his last 10 games, Lou is 6-2-2 with a superb 1.88 goals against average. Against Dallas, Luongo is 10-0-2 in his last 12 starts with a 1.87 goals against average. Backup Corey Schneider is 2-0-0 this season versus Dallas with a 1.00 goals against average.
Betting Prediction: The Dallas Stars are 14-13-1 on the road this season and have lost six straight away from home. The Stars are 1-7 in their last eight games overall. The Vancouver Canucks are a superb 20-4-5 at home this season and have won all three meetings with the Stars this season by a combined score of 15-3!
The Vancouver Canucks simply own the Dallas Stars. With no Richards and with Lehtonen playing poorly, the chances of Dallas reversing the trend is slim at best! Vancouver is too good at home and they simply don’t lose two games in a row.
Trends:
DAL are 1-7 in their last 8 overall.
Over is 9-3 in DAL last 12 road games.
Over is 18-5-3 in VAN last 26 Sat. games.
VAN are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. Pacific.
VAN are 68-28 in their last 96 home games.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks -200 and OVER 5.5
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