Stars vs Rangers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Tenders Slam the Door Early

The New York Rangers and Dallas Stars are set for their second meeting of the season. The Rangers got the best of the Stars the first time around, winning by a score of 6-3 in Dallas, but both teams have been playing fantastic lately, so this should be a fun one. 

This matchup screams goaltending battle as Igor Shesterkin will take on Jake Oettinger. The two of them are among the best goalies in the league, each with 19 wins this season. 

The total for the game is very low at 5.5, but I don’t think we will see a high-scoring first period, so I have my eye set on the opening 20 minutes with my NHL picks and predictions for Stars vs. Rangers on Thursday, January 12.

Stars vs Rangers best odds

Stars vs Rangers picks and predictions

According to the numbers, Jake Oettinger has actually been outplaying Igor Shesterkin this year. Oettinger enters this contest boasting a .923 save percentage with a 2.29 goals against average and +15.4 goals saved above expected — he’s been incredible. 

Shesterkin hasn’t been all that bad himself, coming into this game with a .916 save percentage, a 2.49 goals against average and  +12.2 goals saved above expected. 

Both of these teams are averaging 0.69 goals against in the first period, so it seems that they play a little more defensively to kick things off. There is a ton of offensive talent on both teams in this matchup, but the goaltending is really where the story lies. 

The Stars happen to be the second-best defensive team in the league, giving up 2.60 goals against per game and the Rangers aren’t too far behind them, allowing 2.71 goals against each night. They have been excellent in their own respective ends.

The Over for the full game might hit, but I don’t expect many goals out of the gate.

My best bet: Under 1.5 first period (-120 at BetMGM)

Stars vs Rangers moneyline analysis

Both these teams are coming off very impressive wins — the Stars defeated the Islanders in a shootout and the Rangers knocked off the Wild in a shootout as well. It has been a good stretch of hockey for both the Stars and the Rangers: Dallas has gone 7-3-0 in its last 10 games and the Rangers are 6-2-2 in that same stretch. That being said, the Rangers will be without Chris Kreider, who is a key contributor to their offense and power play, which has been struggling as is. 

I think where we stand at this moment, the Dallas Stars are the better hockey team. They’re better on both ends of the ice and their power play has been buzzing. Shesterkin can definitely steal this game for the Rangers on home ice, but Dallas has been such a deep and consistent team, I’m not quite positive the Rangers will be able to keep up. 

I think the Stars will win this one.

Stars vs Rangers Over/Under analysis

The Over/Under for this game is certainly tricky because both teams have excellent goalies and they do a great job at keeping pucks out of their own net. However, the 5.5 just seems so low when you have a ton of offensive firepower on both sides. 

Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz (who is questionable to play), and Joe Pavelski have been outstanding this season, forming into quite the first line. For the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, along with Adam Fox on the blue line are always a scary trio for any opposing goaltender. 

The Rangers have been scoring a ton lately, burying 16 goals in their last four games and the Stars have been an offensive weapon all season. I think the Over for the game hits. 

Stars vs Rangers betting trend to know

The Under is 3-0-1 in the Stars' last four vs. Eastern Conference. Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs Rangers.

Stars vs Rangers game info

Stars vs Rangers key injuries

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