NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Stars vs. Flyers: Clash of momentum and early-game strategies tonight
Here are tonight's NHL predictions and best bets
Dallas Stars (43-18-11) at Philadelphia Flyers (35-24-12)
Stars (-155) at Flyers (+130) - Total 6 (Under, -125)
7 p.m. ET
Both teams are on the second half of a back-to-back. The Stars have flourished in this spot, winning eight of 11 games on the back end of back-to-backs. The Flyers have won just five of 11 games on the second half of back-to-backs. The Flyers also struggle in the role of the home underdog, winning just four of eighteen games as the home dog.
Slow starts have plagued Dallas in recent games, giving up the opening goal in four consecutive games and five of the past six. The Flyers are the complete opposite, scoring first in each of the last four games and five of the past six.
Rookie Alex Bump has scored the opening goal at home for the Flyers in two of the past three games. Owen Tippett has scored Philly's first goal in two of the last four games overall. Tippett is also one goal shy of hitting the 25-goal mark for the fourth time in five seasons. Noah Cates has goals in four of the past five games for Philly.
The Stars' Mikko Rantanen made his return to the Dallas lineup yesterday, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He has 10 goals in 18 career games against the Flyers. Michael Bunting is expected to slot in alongside Rantanen today. He has two goals in three games against Flyers starting goalie, Samuel Ersson.
**NHL Predictions and Best Bets: Philadelphia Flyers' 1st goal/1st period (+165) - .15 Alex Bump 1st Flyers' goal (+1100) - .05 Alex Bump anytime goal (+425) - .10 Owen Tippett 1st Flyers' goal (+800) - .05 Owen Tippett anytime goal (+280) - .10 Noah Cates anytime goal (+440) - .10 Mikko Rantanen anytime goal (+200) - .25 Michael Bunting anytime goal (+380) - .10
