Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars Prediction NHL Picks 12/18/24

In this article we will formulate a Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, December 18th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 19-10-2 this year after they defeated Buffalo by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Toronto trailed 3-1 in the second period, but they scored the last four goals in the game for the win. The Maple Leafs outshot Buffalo by a total of 41-27, won 56.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Domi, Robertson, and Tavares (3), while Hildeby stopped 24 out of 27 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Maple Leafs lost to Detroit by a score of 4-2 but did beat Anaheim and New Jersey before that. Toronto has scored 2.97 goals per game and they have allowed 2.61 goals against per game, while also averaging 19.8% on the power play and 82.1% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led Toronto with 10 goals, 31 assists, and 78 shots on goal, while Joseph Woll is 8-4-0 with a 2.24 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year. 

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are 19-11-0 this season after they defeated Washington by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Dallas trailed 1-0 after the first period, but they scored the last three goals in the game for the win. The Stars were outshot by a total of 26-24, won 52.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Hintz (2) and Bichsel, while Oettinger stopped 25 out of 26 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Stars defeated the Blues by a score of 2-1 but did lose to Nashville by a score of 4-1 before that. Dallas has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 2.50 goals against per game, while also going 18.3% on the power play and 83.9% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Duchene has led Dallas with 13 goals, 17 assists, and 49 shots on goal, while Jake Oettinger is 16-7-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage this year. 

Why the Stars will beat the Maple Leafs

• The Maple Leafs have lost each of their last five road games following a home win.
• The Stars have won six of their last seven home games.
• The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games following a win.
• The Stars have covered the puck line in four of their last five games against the Maple Leafs following a win.
• The Maple Leafs have lost the third period in four of their last five games following a home win.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Stars’ last eight games as favorites following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games as underdogs following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last seven Wednesday night games.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Jamie Benn has recorded an assist in eight of the Stars’ last nine night games at American Airlines Center.
• Evgenii Dadonov has scored at least one goal in each of the Stars’ last three games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Jason Robertson has recorded at least one point in each of the Stars’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents at American Airlines Center.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Morgan Rielly has recorded at least one assist in 10 of his last 11 appearances against the Stars.
• Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in five of the Maple Leafs’ last six night games at American Airlines Center.
• Auston Matthews has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances against the Stars.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup after winning three of their last four games, but Dallas will be on home ice. The Stars are 13-3-0 at home, while the Maple Leafs are 5-6-2 on the road this year. Both teams have been fantastic on the defensive end of the ice, but Toronto is now without their starting goalie. I think Dallas is the slightly better team in this matchup and their defense has been great over the last week. Take the Stars here.