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(NHL) Dallas vs. Vancouver,
Money Line: -125.00 Dallas (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -125.00 Dallas (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Dallas Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock told the Dallas Morning News, "The record (6-5-0) is not near indicative of how we have played, but it is what it is," We've had to endure a lot of heartbreak on losses where we have played well. There are a lot of things we like, but there are nuances we have to change." the 6-5-0 Stars hope to translate their solid play into more victories as they continue a five-game road trip Monday night against the surprising Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver has won four straight to up its record to 6-3-1 (Canucks were just 30-43-9 last season with 69 points, more than only the Avalanche).
Dallas: The Stars moved one game over .500 with a 2-1 victory at Calgary on Friday night but with the league's best power play percentage (32.4%) and its second-best penalty kill percentage (92.1%), Hitchcock's is right about the fact his team's record should be better. "The power play is good, but we've got to start scoring 5-on-5," forward Alexander Radulov, who has four points in the last two games, told reporters. "That's a really big thing right now for our team." Captain Jamie Benn was kept off the scoresheet against Calgary, but owns all of his team-leading seven goals in the last eight contests and tops the Stars with 13 points.
Vancouver: Anders Nilsson has been between the pipes for the last two games, improving to 3-1-0 with a .943 save percentage and 1.89 goals-against average but Jacob Markstrom (3-2-1, 2.48 GAA & .908 SP) won the first two in the streak. Word is Vancouver will go back to Markstrom in this game. The Canucks have showed faith in the abilities of new coach Travis Green, who has been getting kudos while having more roster depth than predecessor Willie Desjardins. Green was promoted from Vancouver's minor-league affiliate in Utica, N.Y. and is earning praise for his open communication style even while limiting the ice time of veterans as the Canucks allow their youth movement to build momentum, albeit slowly.
The pick: The early word is that Ben Bishop will be in goal for Dallas, although he owns just an .899 save percentage in seven career games against the Canucks. Then again, Kari Lehtonen stood out in Calgary while making only his second start of the season, and based on his strong play, could get the start against the Canucks. Either way, I'll take the Stars, whose record is not quite as good as the team has played, against the overachieving Canucks. Make Dallas a 10* play.
Dallas: The Stars moved one game over .500 with a 2-1 victory at Calgary on Friday night but with the league's best power play percentage (32.4%) and its second-best penalty kill percentage (92.1%), Hitchcock's is right about the fact his team's record should be better. "The power play is good, but we've got to start scoring 5-on-5," forward Alexander Radulov, who has four points in the last two games, told reporters. "That's a really big thing right now for our team." Captain Jamie Benn was kept off the scoresheet against Calgary, but owns all of his team-leading seven goals in the last eight contests and tops the Stars with 13 points.
Vancouver: Anders Nilsson has been between the pipes for the last two games, improving to 3-1-0 with a .943 save percentage and 1.89 goals-against average but Jacob Markstrom (3-2-1, 2.48 GAA & .908 SP) won the first two in the streak. Word is Vancouver will go back to Markstrom in this game. The Canucks have showed faith in the abilities of new coach Travis Green, who has been getting kudos while having more roster depth than predecessor Willie Desjardins. Green was promoted from Vancouver's minor-league affiliate in Utica, N.Y. and is earning praise for his open communication style even while limiting the ice time of veterans as the Canucks allow their youth movement to build momentum, albeit slowly.
The pick: The early word is that Ben Bishop will be in goal for Dallas, although he owns just an .899 save percentage in seven career games against the Canucks. Then again, Kari Lehtonen stood out in Calgary while making only his second start of the season, and based on his strong play, could get the start against the Canucks. Either way, I'll take the Stars, whose record is not quite as good as the team has played, against the overachieving Canucks. Make Dallas a 10* play.
