Devils vs Stars Prediction & Picks (Jan. 27): Oettinger, Vanecek Go Head-to-Head in Goaltending Duel

Friday, Jan. 27’s NHL schedule features an inter-conference matchup as the Pacific Division-leading Dallas Stars host the New Jersey Devils at American Airlines Center. New Jersey and Dallas already collide at the Prudential Center back in December, ending in a 4-1 victory for the latter. Needless to say, Lindy Ruff’s team will be out for revenge in the latest Devils vs Stars showdown.

Tune in tonight when the New Jersey Devils take on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

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#️⃣ #NJDvsDAL pic.twitter.com/TBk3NixnwY

— NJDevils Game Bot (@NJDevilsGameBot) January 27, 2023

The Devils head into Dallas following a rare road loss, losing 6-4 to the Nashville Predators on Thursday. New Jersey had the lead at three different points in the game, but a three-goal third period from Nashville sealed the Devils’ fate.

Meanwhile, the Stars hope to reverse their fortunes following back-to-back 3-2 overtime losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes. This is the fourth contest in an eight-game homestand for the Stars, meaning a win tonight would help ensure that the next few outings go smoothly.

Friday’s Devils vs Stars matchup offers several betting opportunities in what will surely be a thrilling contest. Here’s a look at BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest odds for the game, as well as a prediction and the best bet to make, courtesy of Betting News.

New Jersey Devils vs Dallas Stars Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: New Jersey Devils (31-13-4, 18-3-2 Away) vs. Dallas Stars (28-13-9, 13-5-5 Home)
• Venue & Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, Texas)
• Date: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023
• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Devils vs Stars TV Info: ESPN+

Devils vs Stars Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, Jan. 27 at 8:59 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• New Jersey Devils +1.5 (-205)
• Dallas Stars -1.5 (+164)

Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (-112)
• Under 6 Goals (-108)

Moneyline

• New Jersey Devils +120
• Dallas Stars -144

Devils vs Stars Betting Trends

• New Jersey is 4-10 straight up in its last 10 road games against Dallas.
• Dallas is 6-2 straight up in its last eight games played on Friday.
• The total has hit the over in each of New Jersey’s last six road games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Dallas’ last five home games.
• The total has hit the under in six of the last 10 New Jersey-Dallas matchups.

Devils vs Stars Prediction and Picks

Devils vs Stars Prediction: Stars 3, Devils 2

Devils vs Stars Best Bet: Stars ML (Best Value: -144 at BetOnline) & Under 6 Goals (Best Value: -108 at BetOnline)

Tonight’s matchup is between two teams with some of the better Stanley Cup odds on BetOnline Sportsbook. Heading into the contest, both the Devils and Stars share +1500 odds to win the championship, putting them in a tie for the seventh-best odds.

Unfortunately for the Devils, they haven’t had much luck when it comes to facing the Stars on the road. Dating back to 2003, New Jersey has lost 10 of its last 14 trips to American Airlines Center. While the Devils won in their last visit to the Lone Star State in April 2022, New Jersey hasn’t won back-to-back games in Dallas in over 20 years.

While the Devils are one of the best road teams this season, they’ve also lost their last two away games, allowing 10 goals over that span. That’s nothing too new considering how they’re allowing 3.48 goals per game this season — sixth-worst in the NHL.

Meanwhile, the Stars have done well at keeping the puck out of their own net. They’re only allowing an average of 2.09 goals over their last 11 games and have recorded shutout victories in three of their last six contests.

That trend should continue with Jake Oettinger likely being the Stars’ starting goalie tonight, per Daily Faceoff. The 24-year-old goaltender is 8-2-3 in his last 13 starts, recording a 1.84 goals-against average (GAA), .934 save percentage (SV%) and two shutouts.

Stretches like this one have helped Oettinger earn the fifth-best odds (+1500) to win the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy on BetOnline Sportsbook.

ANOTHER OETTINGER SHUTOUT! ?

Jake Oettinger makes 33 saves to record his second @pepsi shutout in his last three games! ?‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/O8nIUnh1QZ

— NHL (@NHL) January 22, 2023

Vitek Vanecek will likely get the start for the Devils after Mackenzie Blackwood surrendered five goals on 40 shots to the Predators last night. The good news for the Devils is that Vanecek has won each of his last eight starts, tallying a 2.07 GAA and .930 SV% during that span.

The Stars also have the special teams advantage tonight, converting at 25.6% on the power play (No. 6) while killing 83.7% of penalties. While the Devils’ penalty kill is solid (81.1%, No. 9), the power-play unit isn’t anything special (21.1%, No. 19).

In what should be a close-fought game, I’m going with the Stars. On top of the specials teams advantage, Dallas has had better goaltending and defense all season long. I trust Oettinger to make more key saves than Vanecek, who is still solid in his own right. Needless to say, I wouldn’t be surprised if this game is decided by one goal.

I also don’t expect many goals in this Devils vs Stars collision. As mentioned before, Oettinger and Vanecek have both played extremely well lately. Even though I trust one more than the other, it’s going to be a duel tonight that results in the total finishing below six goals.

It also helps that the under is 4-1 in the last five New Jersey-Dallas matchups, seeing an average of 4.4 goals scored in those contests.

Other Devils vs Stars Resources

• Devils vs Stars Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats

Other NHL Stories on Betting News (Jan. 27)

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