8:07 pm
September 21

Stars v. Lightning

Who will WIN this matchup?

Dallas Stars

Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Starting Goalies:

Anton Khudobin (DAL): Unconfirmed

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Dallas Stars: (+135)

Tampa Bay Lightning: (-155)

 

• Listed at 5-foot-11, Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin is considered too short for today’s NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning became the latest team to discover how large Khudobin can loom during Dallas’ 4-1 victory to kick off the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton. The Lightning look to solve Khudobin and the Stars when the series resumes for Game 2 on Monday. Khudobin stopped 35 shots, including 22 in a third period dominated by the Lightning. Originally the backup, he was pressed into action because former Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop has been “unfit to participate.” Khudobin has posted a 13-6 record in the postseason with a .923 save percentage and 2.54 goals-against average.

• That said, expect a more complete effort from the Lightning on Monday. Coming off their Eastern Conference finals clinching win over the New York Islanders on Thursday, the Lightning had far less jump in the first two periods compared to a Dallas team that had four full days between games. The Lightning won’t likely dominate all game like they did in Saturday’s third period, but it will be shocking if they’re not much better to start instead of — as coach Jon Cooper described — watching the Stars skate around. The Stars are well aware they need to brace for a response from Tampa Bay, but plan to withstand it by continuing with that in-your-face defense.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous Pick
Next Pick