NHL Hockey Betting: Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks

It’s coming down to the wire in the NHL and out West one Canadian team is already in the post season while two others are trying to get in. The Vancouver Canucks have already qualified for the playoffs while the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets are in a three way battle with the Los Angeles Kings for the two remaining playoff spots. All of these teams will get the night off on a short card of NHL action with the only Western Conference game scheduled being a matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars.

The Stars have been playing well winning 7 of 10 but are out of playoff contention. The Ducks have already locked up the Pacific Division and are close to locking up the Western Conference championship. Anaheim has 107 points which puts them 2 up on St. Louis and 3 up on Nashville. All of these teams have two games remaining (including tonight’s contest) so a win here by the Ducks will just about do it. Anaheim has won 7 of 10 but is coming off a loss to Colorado in their last action. They should be well rested heading into this game–they last played on April 3 giving them a five day break– a rare luxury at this stage of the NHL season.

Despite the conference implications there isn’t a lot of pressure on Anaheim–they finish the regular season on Saturday night against lowly Arizona and will likely be able to lock up the Western Conference championship with a victory there. Since the Rangers have already taken the Presidents Trophy the Ducks are in a bit of flux until the playoffs begin. Were this the NBA the Dallas Stars would be expected to roll over but that’s not how things work in the NHL. The Stars have continued to compete and enter this contest off wins at Nashville and San Jose.

The Ducks are the better team to be sure but at this price we’ve got to go with the dog. Stars are in excellent form and we’re getting them at an excellent price. Note that Ducks’ star Ryan Getzlaf wasn’t on the ice for the morning skate which could indicate that he won’t play here.

BET DALLAS STARS +160 OVER ANAHEIM DUCKS