The Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks will complete a trilogy on Friday night. Let’s see if this film has a different ending.
Tonight’s visitors, the Stars, won the first two matchups 3-2 and 4-3 (OT), respectively. Dallas trailed in the third period of both games. Currently atop the Central Division with 85 points, the Stars need to keep winning if they want a division title.
As for Anaheim, the trade deadline saw the team ship out Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick, and Ilya Lyubushkin. Still, this rebuilding team has won three of their last four, with the lone loss coming against a strong Canucks team. The Ducks have momentum on their side.
So far, the Stars and Ducks have had two tight battles. What will round three bring to Orange County?
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars Betting Odds
| Team | Puck Line | Total | MoneyLine |
| Dallas Stars | -1.5
-120 |
O 6.5
+105 |
-310 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +1.5
+100 |
U 6.5
-125 |
+250 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars Match Details
- Fixture: Dallas Stars @ Anaheim Ducks
- Date and Time: Friday, March 8, 2024, 9:00 p.m. EDT
- Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Anaheim Ducks | vs. | Dallas Stars |
| 23-36-3 | Record | 38-17-9 |
| 2.63 | Goals Per Game | 3.58 |
| 27.5 | Shots Per Game | 31.2 |
| 9.6% | Shooting Percentage | 11.5% |
| 19.3% | Power Play | 23.1% |
| 48.4% | Faceoff | 54.0% |
| 866 | Penalty Minutes | 441 |
| 3.48 | Goals Against Per Game | 3.03 |
| 33.2 | Shots Against Per Game | 29.6 |
| .901 | Save Percentage | .900 |
| 75.8% | Penalty Kill | 81.4% |
| 0 | Shutouts | 2 |
Key Stats
Anaheim Ducks
- Frank Vatrano did not get traded on Friday. He is the Ducks’ leader in goals (29), points (49), power play points (17), and game-winning goals (7)
- The Ducks are 10-21-1 at home this season. That is the worst points percentage (.328) at home this season and tied for the fewest points (21)
- Anaheim only allowed three total goals in their previous two games. In the seven before that, the team gave up 33 total goals (4.71 per game)
- This team is 30th in goals per game
- The Ducks are 3-2-0 in their last five games
Dallas Stars
- Jason Robertson leads the Stars in assists (40), points (61), and power play points (20)
- Dallas has six different players with at least 20 goals. The team is second in goals per game
- The Stars are tied for the third-most wins (19) and points (43) on the road this season
- February was Dallas’ worst month in terms of points percentage (.577), goal differential (+3), and shooting percentage (9.5%). They went 6-4-3
- The Stars are 3-1-1 in their last five games
Match Prediction
Although the first two meetings were tight, this game is entirely Dallas’ to lose. The Ducks are the worst home-performing team in the NHL, while the Stars are one of the league’s best on the road. Anaheim is missing a ton of firepower after selling key pieces at the trade deadline.
So, the Ducks won’t have any offense to lean on. Meanwhile, their back end which had a horrible stretch recently is up against the second-highest scoring team in the league. Dallas had a pair of shaky games against the Sharks but still managed to win because they can score at will. That will be on display again tonight as they cruise to another victory.
Final Pick
Dallas Stars -1.5 (-120)
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Follow Andre on Twitter at @TowerTalkSports. You can also reach out to Andre Ifill via email at andre.ifill.jr@gmail.com. For Andre’s hockey talk, listen to this podcast every weekday. Andre also discusses the NFL, NBA, and MLB here. You can read and follow Andre’s betting picks at Winners and Whiners or read more of his stuff here on Total Apex Sports. He has spent years writing, talking, and picking sports professionally at the highest level.
