Over the past few years, the Central Division has proven to be arguably the strongest in the NHL, with 5 teams routinely making it into the postseason. It is playing out that way again this season, wit just 9 points separating first from last in the division. It is conceivable that a good run could take a team near the bottom all the way to the top, while a losing skid could send you flying towards the cellar, independently of what the NHL betting lines are saying.
The good news for the Dallas Stars is that they are on a positive run that is seeing them closing the gap in the division leaders. They are on a road trip that has been as successful as it gets, but have another tough one on Thursday night when they head into Columbus to face a Blue Jackets team that has their eyes set on a Metropolitan Division crown. The Jackets have been struggling of late, which is why they come in as underdogs in the NHL lines, and really need a win to keep pace with the division leaders. Two very good teams going head to head here, so let’s take a closer look at both.
The Blue Jackets are still comfortably in a playoff spot, and at just 6 points back, are realistically still in the hunt for a Metropolitan Division crown, but they need to get those offensive woes turned around in the second half of the season. On the plus side, Columbus is a solid 15-8-0 at home, so you need to like their chances here.
Dallas vs. Columbus NHL Betting Lines & Prediction
Back-to-back wins to start this road trip, but we’re not done yet. Columbus is next and we’ll wrap things up in Buffalo. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/jlppBAprw1
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) 17 de enero de 2018
- When: Thursday, January 18 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus
- TV: FSSW and FSOH
- Radio: 96.7 FM (Dallas) / 97.1 FM (Columbus)
- NHL Betting Lines: Dallas Stars -1.5 (Over/Under at 5.5 goals)
Team Records
- All: Dallas Stars 26-17-3/ Columbus Blue Jackets 25-18-3
- Home: Dallas Stars 16-6-1 / Columbus Blue Jackets 15-8
- Away: Dallas Stars 10-11-2 / Columbus Blue Jackets 10-10-3
- ATS: Dallas Stars 23-23 / Columbus Blue Jackets 20-26
- Over/Under: Dallas Stars 26-19-1 / Columbus Blue Jackets 20-26
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Score: Dallas Stars 2.10 / Columbus Blue Jackets 3.10
- Shots: Dallas Stars 32.80 / Columbus Blue Jackets 28.30
- Power Play Goals: Dallas Stars 3 / Columbus Blue Jackets 8
- Number of Power Plays: Dallas Stars 31 / Columbus Blue Jackets 27
- Power Play Percentage: Dallas Stars 9.68 / Columbus Blue Jackets 29.63
- Penalty Kill Percentage: Dallas Stars 70.37 / Columbus Blue Jackets 90.32
Why consider the Stars NHL Betting Lines?
The Dallas Stars have been on a very good run of form, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, and that run has helped them move into one of the Wild Card spots in the Western Conference. What has been particularly pleasing for the Stars has been their play on this current road trip, where they have won each o their first two games. This probably came as a surprise to some, especially since Dallas came into this trip 3 games below .500 on the road. While this run has been incredibly positive for the Stars, they will be heading into this game knowing that Columbus has been a bit of a bogey team for them. It has been the Blue Jackets who have won each of the last 4 meetings, holding Dallas to just 3 goals combined in the last 3 match-ups. Goals have been coming a little easier for the Stars of late, so they will be hoping that they can reverse their drought against the Stars.Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.04
- Shots: 31.35
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.29
- Goals: 2.74
- Shots: 29.54
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.47
Why consider the Blue Jackets NHL Betting Lines?
The Columbus Blue Jackets came storming out the gate at the start of the season, and while they have remained mostly consistent, they are going through a bit of a lean spell right now. Columbus is just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, and come into this one on the heels of back to back losses. Part of the problem is that the goals have started to dry up, thanks in large part to a sputtering power play that is currently second worst in the league.
The Blue Jackets are still comfortably in a playoff spot, and at just 6 points back, are realistically still in the hunt for a Metropolitan Division crown, but they need to get those offensive woes turned around in the second half of the season. On the plus side, Columbus is a solid 15-8-0 at home, so you need to like their chances here.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 2.70
- Shots: 34.00
- PP/PK Percentage: 13.43
- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 31.41
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.49
Latest Betting Trends for NHL
- Stars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on the road
- Stars are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas’s last 10 games
- Blue Jackets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
- Blue Jackets are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Columbus’s last 7 games
