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Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Game Preview
The Nashville Predators head to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Stars on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with puck drop set for 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Dallas is 35-14-9 and sitting third in the West, and they looked like they never left during their first game back from the Olympic break. Nashville is 27-24-7, still in the mix in the Central, and they also started post-break play with a win, even if it wasn’t exactly clean.
Dallas is on a seven-game winning streak and the recent form is more than just “they’re getting bounces.” Their top players are producing, their power play is dangerous, and they’re getting enough goaltending to let the offense win games without needing 40 saves every night. Nashville is coming in with some momentum too, but the injuries and goalie questions make this matchup feel a little fragile for them.
This is one of those games where the early minutes matter a lot. If Dallas gets the first power play or grabs the first goal, it can snowball quickly because the Stars are comfortable playing from in front. If Nashville keeps it tight and gets saves, the +1.5 puck line starts to look a lot more like the correct side of the number.
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Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated prices and shop numbers throughout the day using the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Predators | +134 | +1.5 (-196) | O 6.0 (-109) |
| Dallas Stars | -157 | -1.5 (+158) | U 6.0 (-112) |
Nashville Predators Betting Form
Nashville has been finding ways to survive lately, which is a compliment and a warning at the same time. They rallied to beat Chicago 4-2 in their first game after the break, and that third-period push is exactly the kind of thing you like from an underdog. The Predators didn’t need to be perfect for 60 minutes, but they did need their top guys to show up in the moments that decide games.
The problem is that this is a tougher environment than a home game against Chicago, and Nashville’s path depends heavily on the crease. Juuse Saros being listed as questionable matters a lot, because Dallas can turn average goaltending into a long night. Nashville also needs their special teams to be functional. They’re not a team that wants to trade chances with Dallas at five-on-five, so any power-play production is basically their shortcut to keeping the game state favorable.
For recent results and road trends, the Nashville Predators stats and results page is the quick reference. Availability matters here, so monitor the Nashville Predators injury report before puck drop.
Dallas Stars Betting Form
Dallas has been one of the steadier teams in the league, and right now they’re peaking. The seven-game win streak speaks for itself, but I care more about how it’s happening. Wyatt Johnston scoring twice against Seattle and setting a franchise record for power-play goals tells you the Stars are not just rolling at five-on-five, they’re separating games on special teams too. That’s a big deal when you’re laying a home price.
Matt Duchene’s point streak matters as well because it adds another layer behind the headline scorers. Dallas doesn’t have to rely on one line to do everything. They can come in waves, and at home, that usually turns into long stretches where the opponent is defending more than it wants.
The injury list is still something to watch. Dallas has a few key names either out or questionable, and it’s not always obvious which absence matters until you see how the lines are built. Roope Hintz being questionable is the one that can change the feel of their top-six depth. For home splits and recent game logs, the Dallas Stars schedule and stats page helps. And yes, check the Dallas Stars injury report before betting.
Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is about special teams and pace. Dallas has been lethal on the power play, and Johnston’s production with the man advantage is not a fluke at this point. If Nashville takes penalties, the Predators are putting themselves in a spot where they need to win the five-on-five game to survive, and that’s a hard ask in Dallas right now.
At five-on-five, Nashville’s best chance is to keep the game from opening up. They need clean exits, fewer turnovers at the offensive blue line, and a willingness to chip pucks behind Dallas’ defense rather than forcing plays that turn into counters. Dallas is comfortable playing with structure when it has the lead, but it’s even more dangerous when the game turns into a rush contest, because they finish.
The goaltending angle is also central. If Saros is in and looks sharp, the +1.5 becomes more attractive and the total becomes more of a true coin flip around 6. If Nashville is forced into a backup situation, Dallas can make this feel one-sided quickly. If you want a sharper framework for pricing those goalie-driven swings, the NHL betting guide is useful. And for a bigger-picture lens on pricing as teams separate in the standings, the Stanley Cup betting guide helps explain why certain teams keep carrying a tax when they’re in form.
Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Dallas on the moneyline at -157. It’s not a bargain, but it’s a fair number for a team that’s rolling, at home, with the better special teams profile and more reliable scoring depth. Nashville can absolutely make this competitive, but they need a clean night in net and a disciplined game to keep Dallas from getting the kind of power-play opportunities that tilt results.
I’m also watching Dallas -1.5 at +158 as a secondary look. The price is attractive, and Dallas has shown it can create separation, especially if the opponent has to chase late. The risk is that Nashville’s style can drag this into a one-goal finish if they get saves and the game stays mostly five-on-five. That’s why I’m not making it the main play.
On the total, I’m slightly toward the Over at 6.0, but it’s a lean, not a must. Dallas can score four by itself, and Nashville has enough offense with Forsberg, O’Reilly, and Stamkos to contribute. Still, a 6.0 can land exactly on the number, and that’s not my favorite place to live unless the goalie situation pushes me one way.
Best Bet: Dallas Stars moneyline (-157).
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NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL nightly, timing and comparison matter as much as the handicap. Goalies, late scratches, and even small line moves can shift value quickly, so checking today’s NHL picks is a good way to compare how multiple handicappers are attacking the same slate.
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