Dallas Stars vs New Jersey Devils Betting Picks

Now that New Jersey is highly unlikely to make the playoffs, the Devils have picked up their game with the pressure off. They are 7-3-0 in their past 10 games. Since the Olympic break, the Devils rank just outside the top 10 in goals scored per game. New Jersey has produced four or more goals in seven of its last nine games. On the season, the Devils average 30 shots on goal per game. That ranks fourth best. Olympic hero Jack Hughes has 10 points in his last five games for New Jersey. Only NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov has more points than Hughes during this time. Dallas has a formidable offense. The Stars rank eighth in the league in scoring and have the second-best power play. New Jersey is the lowest-rated defensive team the Stars have played in their last six games. The Stars are due for a big offensive showing, having only scored a combined five goals in their last three games, facing the Golden Knights, Wild, and Avalanche. Prior to those three opponents, the Stars had scored at least three goals in 15 of their last 16 games. Take the OVER. 

New Jersey winds up a five-game road trek after a 2-0 loss at Vegas. They're looking road weary, with the offense tallying four goals in the last three games. The offense is 18th in shooting percentage, and the Devils are on a 26-9 run UNDER the total. Dallas is 22-7-1 at home and has a +51 goal differential that is the second-best in the Western Conference. The offense is sixth in shooting percentage and fourth in goals scored (3.40 per game). Dallas is on an 11-4 run and plays its third consecutive home contest after wins over Los Angeles (6-2) and St. Louis (6-3). The defense is fourth in save percentage (.911), third in goals allowed (2.57 per game), and No. 1 in penalty killing. Play Dallas + UNDER the total. 

New Jersey is getting outscored by 15 goals and plays its second straight road game after a 3-1 loss at the Rangers. New Jersey has lost eight of 11 and ranks 27th in goals surrendered (3.48 per game) and 30th in save percentage (.892). The Devils are 11-19 after playing a road game, plus 15-23 against teams that average 3+ goals. Dallas is 19-9-4 at home and is outscoring opponents by +42 goals, the fourth-best differential in the Western Conference. Dallas is second in the NHL in goals scored (3.61 per game), while the defense is 14th in goals given up (3.00 per game). Dallas is 40-16 after allowing 4 or more goals, so back home ice. Play Dallas.