In this article we will formulate a Utah Hockey Club vs Dallas Stars prediction for this NHL game on Monday, December 23rd at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview

The Utah Hockey Club are 16-11-6 this year after they lost to Anaheim in a shootout by a score of 5-4. Utah led 4-1 in the second period, but they fell apart in the third and lost in the shootout. The Hockey Club was out shot by a total of 30-25, won 55.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Utah got goals from Cooley, Hayton, and Keller (2), while Stauber stopped 26 out of 30 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Hockey Club won four games in a row against the Wild, Canucks, Sharks, and Avalanche. Utah has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.81 goals against per game, while also going 22% on the power play and 79.1% on the penalty kill this season. Clayton Keller has led Utah with 13 goals, 22 assists, and 85 shots on goal, while Karel Vejmelka is 8-7-2 with a 2.29 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year. 

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are 19-13-0 this season after they lost to the Rangers by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Dallas led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Stars out shot New York by a total of 42-30, won 42.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-7 on the power play in the game. Dallas got their lone goal from Hintz, while Oettinger stopped 27 out of 29 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Stars lost to the Maple Leafs by a score of 5-3, but did beat the Capitals and Blues before that. Dallas has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 2.59 goals against per game, while also going 16.3% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Duchene has led Dallas with 13 goals, 17 assists, and 54 shots on goal, while Jake Oettinger is 16-9-0 with a 2.42 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this year. 

Why the Stars will beat Utah

• The road team has won 11 of Utah’s last 12 games.
• Utah has lost six of its last seven games at Delta Center.
• The road team has covered the puck line in seven of Utah’s last eight games.
• Utah has failed to cover the puck line in each of its last three home games against Western Conference opponents.
• Utah has lost the second period in five of its six previous games as a home underdog.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of Utah’s last nine games after coming off overtime have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Stars’ last four games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the last six games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of Utah’s three previous home games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Stars’ last eight games following a loss.

Utah Hockey Club Player Prop Facts

• Logan Cooley has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Dylan Guenther has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Dylan Guenther has recorded at least one point in each of Utah’s last six night games.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Tyler Seguin has recorded at least one point in each of his last six Monday appearances.
• Jamie Benn has recorded an assist in five of the Stars’ last six games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Matchup/League Facts

• Utah Hockey Club rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
• Utah Hockey Club rank 2nd in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (0.56).
• The Dallas Stars rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.59).
• The Dallas Stars rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.62%).

Utah Hockey Club vs Dallas Stars Prediction 

Dallas comes into this matchup on a two game losing streak and they have been out scored 8-4 in those two losses. The Stars are just 6-8-0 on the road this year, while Utah is 5-5-4 at home. The Hockey Club has won four of their last five games, but they will be on a back to back here. Both of these teams have been very solid on defense this season, but I have to give the edge to Dallas, as they have more rest and they are the way better team in my opinion. Take the Stars here.