Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars Prediction & Preview - 2/28/2026
The Nashville Predators visit the Dallas Stars on Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Stars enter this Central Division clash as one of the NHL’s stronger teams this season, while the Predators have battled inconsistency and enter off a recent victory over the lowly Chicago Blackhawks. This preview breaks down the latest trends, player performances, and includes my Predators vs Stars prediction.
Pick: Stars to Win ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Dallas has been one of the more steady teams in the NHL this season with a record of 35‑14‑9 and winners of five straight games. The Stars have climbed near the top of the Central Division standings thanks to consistent two‑way play and offensive balance. Nashville (26‑24‑7) enters this showdown with mixed results, posting a few notable wins but also dropping games where they have struggled to control the pace. Their most recent result was a 4‑2 victory over Chicago that saw Ryan O’Reilly score late to seal the outcome, with Filip Forsberg scoring his 25th of the season. Justus Annunen made a solid 21 saves in that win.
Dallas’ netminding is anchored by Jake Oettinger, who has logged 23 wins with a roughly .897 save percentage and a sub‑three goals against average, providing reliability in the crease. Nashville’s Juuse Saros has been tested frequently, posting a save percentage in the .890s and a goals‑against average north of three, indicative of the traffic and quality shots he faces.
The Predators attack is led by Ryan O’Reilly, who has compiled around 56 points this season, while Steven Stamkos has been a reliable scoring threat near the 28‑goal mark. However, Nashville’s list of top offensive contributors trails that of Dallas. The Stars feature dynamic scoring from players such as Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, both chipping in with high 30‑plus goal production this season. Dallas also boasts a top power play and penalty kill unit, which gives them a clear edge in special teams performance.
Score Projection: Predators 2 – Stars 4 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Predators 32%, Stars 68% ATS PRO
All signs point to the Stars being the superior team in this head‑to‑head. With a better record, solid depth across the lineup, and goaltending capable of limiting high‑danger chances, Dallas should control much of the action. Nashville can certainly find avenues to score and has enough offensive talent to make this competitive, especially if O’Reilly and Forsberg connect on scoring opportunities. Still, the balance Dallas brings gives them an edge not only on the moneyline but potentially to cover the puck line if they get a couple of early goals. I'll stick with Dallas to win on the moneyline in this game.
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