NHL Game Preview for Wednesday March 23, 2011: Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars

Sports Book Overview

This is a great time of the year to be a sports fan. The March Madness betting  is really heating up, and the NHL playoffs are just around the corner. In the last 10 games of the season for each NHL team, it is inevitable that 5dimes hockey fans will come across a desperate battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in a conference. That is exactly what this game is and, judging by how each of the teams have been playing lately, this promises to be a great regular season match-up.

The Anaheim Ducks hold on to that eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference by virtue of having more regulation wins over the ninth place Dallas Stars. The Stars spent the month of February and the first part of March plummeting in the Western Conference standings from a top-five team all the way down to ninth. But it looks like Dallas has stopped its free-fall and is ready to fight its way back into playoff contention.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks looked to be a lost cause when starting goaltender Jonas Hiller was injured a few weeks ago. But a system that uses both goaltenders Dan Ellis and Ray Emery has brought the Ducks the goaltending they need to get back on their feet. In the last 10 games the Ducks are 8-2-0 and the team is currently riding a three-game winning streak. The Ducks climbed into the eighth and final playoff spot when the Dallas Stars were in the middle of their free-fall out of the playoff race. Ellis played the last game for the Ducks and played well. What the Ducks have been doing is playing stronger defense and sacrificing goal-scoring to try and win games. That probably will not get them very far in the playoffs, but it is a good strategy against the Stars.

Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars’ fans watched in horror as the team feel like a rock from the middle of the Western Conference playoff hunt to out of the post-season race. But the Stars have regained their balance and have posted a 5-2-3 record in the last 10 games. The Stars still have an impressive home record at 20-11-7, which has helped to keep the fans’ support strong. In his last five starts, goaltender Kari Lehtonen is 2-2-1 with both wins being by shutout. The defense is dragging a bit in front of Lehtonen, and that could prove to be a big problem for the Stars as this game wears on.

The Bottom Line

This will be a good hockey game to watch as both teams are fighting desperately for a much-needed win. However, it will not be a goaltending battle as both teams are struggling to find consistency in net. The Ducks look to have a stronger offense than the Stars and, as this game plays out, the team with the stronger offense will prove to be the team that wins the game.

Pick: Anaheim Ducks