Welcome back to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league each day. This article will preview and predict the matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars. Check out our NHL Predictions throughout the 2024-25 season and follow along with your favourite teams.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs Dallas Stars
Head to Head: Carolina 1 – 0
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+; HULU
For the second and final time this season, the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Dallas Stars. After the Hurricanes won the first one in Raleigh 6-4, the Stars welcome them to the Lonestar State for this matchup. There should be some familiar faces on both sides of this one, as many of Team Finland’s 4 Nations Faceoff team members are on both sides. The Hurricanes will be on the second of a back-to-back after taking on the Chicago Blackhawks the night before. The Stars enter this one following a win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Both teams are in similar spots in their respective Conferences and want to keep their places in the standings.
The Hurricanes Story
Following the game against Chicago, the Hurricanes will look at this as a new day. Yeah, some things carry over from game to game, but at the end of the day, you must keep looking forward. The big story against the Blackhawks was the return of Frederick Andersen in the net. Andersen has been out most of the year with an injury but made the comeback to play in his 500th career game.
As the story has been going on lately, the Hurricanes are still looking to reestablish consistency like they had at the beginning of the season. One of the brightest spots for the team this season has been their penalty kill, which sits at the top of the league. Martin Necas still sits at the team’s top in points, even though he slowed down from his hot start. Expect to see Pyotr Kochetkov back in the net, but always check game-day rosters to be sure.
The Stars Story
After a long winning streak, the Stars are now 7-3-0 in their last ten games. Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith have been solid in net with save percentages over .900. Meanwhile, Matt Duchene leads the team in points with 45, while Roope Hintz leads in goals with 27.
While the Hurricanes have a strength in their penalty kill, the other team at or above them in this category is the Stars. Their 2.50 goals against per game ranks them in the top five in the league. Again, expect Oettinger to be on the net for this one, but check game-day rosters.
Prediction
This should be a tight, competitive matchup between two good teams looking to show superiority. Both have done pretty well to protect their own ends of the ice, especially on the penalty kill. While this one could be a toss-up, Dallas will be at home and have the last chance. Carolina has done much better at home when they can get favourable matchups, and that might be enough to swing this one in the Stars’ favour.
Prediction: Dallas wins 3-2
Prop Bets of the Night
For bets of the night, the money line favours Dallas with -122 odds. Look at Seth Jarvis, who has +240 odds, as an any-time goal scorer for Carolina. On the other side, look at Logan Stankoven with +340, as the Stars rookie has had a strong season this year.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: January 21 Carolina Hurricanes vs Dallas Stars appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.