Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Dallas Stars remain firmly in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference. Despite suffering two recent defeats, they are still among the front-runners for first place. As they begin the final stretch of the regular season, they have already earned 58 points from 38 home games. A victory over one of the league’s struggling teams is crucial to secure a top-two finish and keep pursuing rivals at a distance.
Dallas Stars
The squad has won seven of their last nine games, including a pair of victories over the Vancouver Canucks (5:3 and 4:1). Over that period, they have scored 34 goals. Matt Duchene, enjoying a standout season, played a part in eight of those matches, tallying 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists). The Dallas Stars rank fifth in the NHL in goals scored (254) and have converted 22% of their power-play chances — a key statistic given the Vancouver Canucks' tendency to pick up penalties.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have dropped four of their last five games and appear all but out of the playoff picture. During this spell, the team conceded 19 goals, with goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen managing a combined save percentage of just 87.2%. On top of that, Demko is set to miss the upcoming game due to injury. The squad has also been plagued by frequent infractions, picking up 256 minor penalties this season, and continue to face difficulties in attack. In their latest matchup against the Dallas Stars, they registered 23 shots compared to 19 from their opponents, yet still fell 1:4.
Dallas Stars vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction
The Dallas Stars have won the last four meetings between the sides. The team features a sharp offence and a reliable defence, conceding just 1.8 goals per game over their last nine outings. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are struggling to close out the season, leaking goals and failing to convert opportunities. As a result, we’re backing a regulation time victory for the home side.
