Dallas Stars vs Pittsburgh Penguins: NHL Preview and Predictions for November 11

The Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face off on Monday, November 11, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. This matchup brings together two teams with differing fortunes so far this season. The Dallas Stars, with an 8-5 record, are sitting third in the Central Division, while the Penguins, at 6-8-2, are struggling to keep pace in the Metropolitan Division.

The Stars have been relatively slow to start compared to their standards from last season, when they led the West with a 52-21-9 record. Key players like Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston have seen a drop in their early production, with Robertson scoring only seven points in 13 games and Johnston with six points in the same number of games. However, forwards Matt Duchene and Logan Stankoven have been off to strong starts, with 15 and 12 points respectively in 13 games each.

On the other hand, the Penguins are dealing with significant challenges, particularly on defense. Despite moments of brilliance from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who have 18 and 16 points respectively in 16 games, the team’s defensive issues have been a major concern. The Penguins have a -16 goal differential and are allowing 3.69 goals per game, which is the 30th rank in the league. Their offense, while top-heavy with players like Crosby and Malkin, has struggled to score consistently, averaging only 2.88 goals per game.

The goaltending situation also favors the Stars, with Jake Oettinger leading the way. Oettinger has a 6-3 record and a .910 save percentage, and he is expected to start against the Penguins. In contrast, the Penguins’ goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has struggled with a .883 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average.

Predictions for the game lean towards the Stars due to their overwhelming offensive depth and strong defensive performance. The Stars are expected to limit the Penguins’ offense and capitalize on their own scoring opportunities. Many analysts predict a Stars win, with some suggesting a 3-1 scoreline in favor of Dallas.

Betting trends also indicate that the game is likely to be low-scoring, with the Under 6.5 goals being a popular pick. The Stars have been stingy on defense, allowing only 2.46 goals per game, and they are expected to keep the Penguins’ shots on goal to a minimum.