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Game Preview: New York Rangers @ Dallas Stars
The New York Rangers head to American Airlines Center on December 2 to face the Dallas Stars in a compelling interconference battle between two top-tier playoff teams.
New York leads the Metropolitan Division, while Dallas is pushing for first in the Central Division. With both teams playing elite hockey, this is a potential Stanley Cup Finals preview.
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Odds and Key Information
The Stars are slight home favorites at -125 on the moneyline, while the Rangers are priced around +105. The total is set at 5.5 goals, indicating expectations for a tight, defensive battle.
New York enters at 15-5-2, allowing only 2.4 goals per game and scoring 3.1. Their power play is operating at 25%, and their penalty kill is top-five at 86%.
Dallas is 14-6-3, averaging 3.2 goals per game and allowing 2.6. Their power play is at 24%, and the penalty kill has improved to 82%.
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New York Rangers Outlook
The Rangers are thriving under head coach Peter Laviolette, blending speed with structure. Artemi Panarin leads the team in scoring, while Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad provide steady two-way play.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin continues to be a wall in net, ranking top-five in both save percentage and goals saved above expected. New York’s success stems from elite goaltending, strong special teams, and disciplined puck possession.
They’re also among the best road teams in the league, thanks to their ability to adapt styles and limit turnovers. Keep up with Rangers stats and streaks via their team page.
Dallas Stars Outlook
The Stars are built for the postseason — big, structured, and experienced. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz lead the offense, while Miro Heiskanen anchors the blue line.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been excellent, giving Dallas stability when games get tight. The team excels at limiting high-danger chances and has a strong expected-goals-against metric.
Their special teams have remained reliable, and Dallas is particularly tough at home, where their defensive matchups shine. Dallas plays a heavy, grinding game that could slow down New York’s pace.
Key Matchup
The difference-maker in this game will likely be goaltending.
With Shesterkin and Oettinger between the pipes, scoring will be at a premium. The team that capitalizes on the power play or wins the 5-on-5 battle in transition will have the upper hand.
Both squads are strong defensively, so the matchup between the Rangers’ quick-strike offense and Dallas’s layered neutral zone coverage will be critical.
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Betting Trends
- New York is 7-2 in its last 9 road games
- Dallas is 6-1 in its last 7 home games
- The Under is 5-1 in the Rangers’ last 6 overall
- The Over is 4-2 in the last 6 Stars home games
- The Rangers are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings with Dallas
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Prediction
This is a true toss-up between two elite teams. Dallas has the home edge and physicality, while New York brings speed, skill, and elite goaltending.
Expect a low-scoring, tight-checking game where one power play or bounce could be the difference. The value may lie with the underdog Rangers if Shesterkin is sharp.
Projected Score: New York Rangers 2, Dallas Stars 1 (OT)
Spread Pick: Rangers +1.5
Total Lean: Under 5.5
Why You Need Expert Picks
Games like this are decided by inches — sharp bettors rely on more than intuition. Use ScoresAndStats NHL picks and monitor the Handicappers Leaderboard to see who’s winning in tight matchups like Rangers-Stars.
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