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Stars vs Canucks Betting Preview
Dallas opens a four-game West Coast road trip after a chaotic ending Tuesday against the Islanders. A five-minute boarding major to Mikko Rantanen and a last-second tying goal overturned created a rare finish. Jason Robertson scored both Dallas goals and continues to heat up. He has eight goals and four assists during a five-game point streak, including three straight multi-goal nights.
Jamie Benn returned from injury and logged his first action of the season. Dallas wants cleaner discipline late in games and better puck management in defensive coverage. Their win streak was snapped, but the Stars remain one of the strongest possession teams in the league.
Vancouver counters with Quinn Hughes on a historic pace. Hughes logged three assists Monday in an 8-5 loss to Florida and has 10 over his last three games. He joined an elite list of defensemen with three straight multi-assist games. Elias Pettersson scored twice and continues to drive Vancouver’s offense.
The issue is defense. Vancouver owns the league’s worst penalty kill and remains near the bottom of the Pacific in goals allowed per game. Their structure breaks down under pressure and their goalies face heavy chances.
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Line Movement and Odds
Current market:
- Stars -156, Canucks +132
- Puck Line: Stars -1.5 (+154), Canucks +1.5 (-188)
- Total 6 (over -115, under -106)
Books opened Dallas in the -145 range. Early support pushed the line toward the Stars after Robertson’s surge and Vancouver’s defensive slide. The total remains steady at 6 with heavy public interest on the over. Sharper play hit Stars -150 early.
Track real-time shifts on the NHL odds board
Matchup Breakdown
Dallas outlook
The Stars bring elite finishing, strong special teams and deep forward scoring. Robertson is locked in. Tyler Seguin supports the attack well. Dallas enters 12-5-3 and strong in division play. They win with layered pressure and a top-ranked power play.
Defensive injuries remain notable, but their structure still holds. They also defend the rush well, something Vancouver struggles to generate consistently.
Vancouver outlook
The Canucks score enough to stay competitive. They rank high in goals and can trade chances with anyone. Hughes drives their transition game with elite tempo. Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood provide finishing.
The concern is the penalty kill at 67.1 percent and the overall goals-against profile. Vancouver continues to give up prime looks and cannot string full periods together defensively.
Key battle
Dallas’ power play against Vancouver’s penalty kill. If the Stars get two or more chances, they can tilt the game.
Injuries and Conditions
Dallas Stars
- Matt Duchene, out, undisclosed.
- Adam Erne, out, lower body.
- Thomas Harley, out, lower body.
- Luke Krys, out, Achilles.
- Nils Lundkvist, out, lower body.
- Ilya Lyubushkin, questionable, undisclosed.
- Kyle McDonald, out, knee.
- Chase Wheatcroft, out, wrist.
See updates on the Dallas Stars injury report
Vancouver Canucks
- Teddy Blueger, out, undisclosed.
- Guillaume Brisebois, out, lower body.
- Filip Chytil, out, upper body.
- Thatcher Demko, out, groin.
- Derek Forbort, out, undisclosed.
- Conor Garland, questionable, undisclosed.
- Nils Hoglander, out, lower body.
- Jett Woo, out, upper body.
Check the Vancouver Canucks injury report
Best Bets and Prediction
Dallas brings the steadier structure and better special teams. Vancouver can score but cannot protect leads. Hughes continues to rack up assists, but the Canucks’ penalty kill creates a clear matchup disadvantage.
Projected score: Stars 4, Canucks 3.
Best bet: Stars -156.
Secondary lean: Over 6.
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