NHL: Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Prediction, Odds and Best Bets: Thursday 12/21/23

A battle in the Western Conference tonight as the Vancouver Canucks (22-9-2) take on the Dallas Stars (18-8-4). The 2 teams met once so far this year and the Canucks took the game by a score of 2-0. This game was almost 2 months ago, so Dallas will be looking for the bounce back.

Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko got the shutout and is expected to be in net tonight. He is having a great year with a 16-7 record. Demko has a 2.33 GAA and a .921 save percentage which ranks in the top of the league.

Vancouver comes into Dallas on a 2-game winning streak. They're a solid road team so far with a record of 10-6-1 and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. This team plays smart hockey on offense and defense, ranking in the top of the league for goals scored and allowed.

On offense, Captain Quinn Hughes is doing a great job of leading this team. He has a team high 32 assists and a total of 41 points so far this year. Center JT Miller leads the team in points wit 45 and Brock Boeser leads the team in goals with 23.

They've been a very surprising team so far this year, sitting in 2nd in the Pacific Division. Dallas is going to be a tough task for them. The Stars are 1st in the Central Division for a reason.

Can Dallas contain Vancouver to get the win?

The Stars are coming off a 4-3 overtime winner over the Seattle Kraken. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and are 9-5-1 at home so far this season. Dallas has been playing great hockey and so has offseason addition Matt Duchene.

As far as the ranking, the Stars are in the top 10 in the league for goals scored per game, shoot percentage and power play. On defense, they have one of the top penalty kills in the league and commit some of least number of penalties per game.

Expected in net is backup goalie Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood has assumed the starting role with Jake Oettinger out with a lower body injury. So far this year, he has an impressive record of 7-1-2. His GAA is 3.21 and has a save percentage of .906. Look for him to be a good challenge for the Canucks.

Dallas' offense has been getting the job done. Veteran Joe Pavelski leads the team in goals with 13 and points with 29 points. The team moves the puck around very well with 6 players having 16+ assists. Jason Robertson leads the way with 18.

We have a good matchup on our hands and some interesting lines. Let's check them out and get into some picks.

Betting Odds

Puck Line

• Vancouver Canucks +1.5 (-200)
• Dallas Stars -1.5 (+160)

Moneyline

• Vancouver Canucks +125
• Dallas Stars -145

Totals

• Over 6.5 (-110)
• Under 6.5 (+110)

Odds courtesy of MyBookie

Game Information

• Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023
• Puck Drop: 8pm EST
• TV: BSSW

Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Prediction and Picks

Prediction and Pick: Vancouver Canucks Moneyline (+125) MyBookie

Vancouver has been hands down one of the hottest teams in the league this year. The line makes no sense to me as these teams' matchup very well and evenly. In my opinion, this game should be closer to a pick'em.

With that being said, they're giving us plus money on the moneyline? Yes please. As we say, give me that every day of the week and twice on Sunday's. I know it's a road game for the Canucks, but they're proven they can win a game on the road.

I expect this to be a close game like their first matchup and for the game total to go under. These teams' matchup well so it's going to be a grind, but I think the Canucks come out on top.

Player Prop: Brock Boeser O2.5 Shots on Goal (-135)

Brock has been on an absolute heater as of late. He has cleared this number in his last 5 games straight. Boeser also had 4 shots on goal in the game they played earlier this year.

He plays on the 2nd line alongside JT Miller. The 2 of them on the same line is dangerous, as they are both big shooters. If they are not feeding each other for open looks, they are creating them by the defense not knowing if they're going to shoot or pass.

Dallas allows the 2nd most shots to the Right Wing by position. This is a great spot for him to stay hot and cash this line for us.

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