The red-hot Red Wings host the equally scorching Stars in a high-stakes showdown to close out the pre-holiday schedule.
In their final matchup before the holiday break, the Detroit Red Wings are set to take on one of their most challenging opponents of the season in the scorching-hot Dallas Stars. Dallas sits just behind the Colorado Avalanche for the NHL’s best record, boasting an impressive 25-7-5 mark.
While the Stars arrive in top form, Detroit will enjoy the home-ice advantage and is riding momentum of its own, posting an 8-2-2 record over its last 12 games. The showdown features two elite teams, with the winner sending a strong message heading into the break. This will mark the 274th all-time meeting between the franchises, as the Red Wings aim to secure a statement victory and extend their two-point cushion over the Tampa Bay Lightning atop the division.
Lineup Storylines
Detroit has been firing on all cylinders lately, with contributions coming from throughout the lineup as the team continues to roll past its competition. During the Red Wings’ 12-game surge, the second line has begun to find its rhythm. Center Andrew Copp has rediscovered his form, recording 11 points over his last 10 games, while superstar winger Alex DeBrincat has led the charge with 14 points in his last 11 contests.
Veteran Patrick Kane had been rotating on that line alongside Copp and DeBrincat before missing the last four games due to injury. In his absence, AHL call-up John Leonard has stepped in admirably, registering points in three of his four games with Detroit. Whether Leonard remains on the second line or Kane returns remains to be seen, but that unit figures to be a key offensive threat either way.
The top line has not been leaned on as heavily during this stretch but has still produced efficiently, with Emmitt Finnie and captain Dylan Larkin each collecting seven points over the 12-game run. On the back end, Moritz Seider continues to solidify his status as one of the league’s premier defensemen. The German blueliner has totaled 11 points over his last 12 games and was recently named among the NHL’s best defensemen by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on a podcast.
Nearly everyone in the lineup has delivered strong performances of late, though production from parts of the bottom six remains an area fans would like to see improve. Nate Danielson has struggled to generate offense, going scoreless in five straight games and posting just three points over his last 13.
There is hope he can gain some momentum heading into the Christmas break, especially with veteran winger Mason Appleton rejoining him on the third line during Sunday’s win over the Washington Capitals. The pair will be looking to provide a much-needed spark from the lower part of the lineup, which could prove crucial against a high-powered Dallas Stars team.
The Stars enter the matchup as the hottest team in the NHL, having suffered just five losses over their last 23 games. During that stretch, five Dallas players have recorded 20 or more points, highlighting the team’s explosive depth. Pending free agent Jason Robertson has led the charge, piling up 20 goals and 11 assists for 31 points in his last 23 games, while his center, Roope Hintz, has also been red hot with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points.
Adding to the firepower in the top six are Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston, who have formed another dangerous duo. The pair has combined for dominant production during Dallas’ recent surge, posting 29 and 24 points respectively over the 23-game stretch. With two lethal lines rolling, the Stars present a major challenge for Detroit, which will need to be at its defensive best to contain Dallas’ high-octane attack.
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Player & Betting Trends (Presented By BetMGM)
DET ML (+105) | DAL ML (-128)
DET +1.5 (-222) | DAL -1.5 (+180)
O/U 6.5 Goals
The Red Wings earned a 6-4 victory over the Stars last April, ending a long stretch of dominance by Dallas, which had won 14 of the previous 17 meetings against Detroit. Offense has been the key factor for the Stars in this matchup, as they have scored four or more goals in seven of the last eight games against the Red Wings, including a streak of five straight games reaching that mark. Dallas has consistently found ways to break down the Detroit defense, making the Red Wings’ best path to success generating offense of their own, as they did in their most recent win.
For Detroit, the offensive push often begins with captain Dylan Larkin, who has been excellent in this matchup. Larkin has recorded points in eight straight games against Dallas, totaling five goals and five assists for 10 points. On the Dallas side, Mikko Rantanen has been a persistent problem for the Red Wings, collecting 20 points with two goals and 18 assists in his last 13 games versus Detroit, including six multi-point performances. With both star players expected to lead their teams, this matchup shapes up to be an exciting and competitive contest.
Goalie Matchup
Detroit: John Gibson (Season: 11-7-1 record, 3.01 GAA, .892 SV% | VS DAL: 6-9-3 record, 2.75 GAA, .917 SV% in 19 games)
Dallas: Casey DeSmith (Season: 9-1-3 record, 2.20 GAA, .920 SV% | VS DET: 1-1-3 record, 3.73 GAA, .877 in five games)
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