NHL Game Preview: Dallas Stars (7-4-3) vs. Nashville Predators (5-7-4)

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Nashville Predators logo

Venue & Event Details

Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Puckdrop: 2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET

Broadcast: ESPN+, Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Southwest

Injury Report

Dallas Stars:

Matt Duchene (out, upper body)

Jamie Benn (out, lower body)

Nashville Predators:

Roman Josi (week-to-week, upper body)

Cole Smith (out 3–6 weeks, upper body)

Adam Wilsby (day-to-day, lower body)

Key Player Matchups

Mikko Rantanen (DAL) vs. Filip Forsberg (NSH): Rantanen leads Dallas with 20 points (8G, 12A), while Forsberg paces Nashville with 12 points (6G, 6A).

Wyatt Johnston (DAL) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH): Johnston has 17 points (9G, 8A), while O’Reilly contributes 10 points (6G, 4A).

Jake Oettinger (DAL) vs. Juuse Saros (NSH): Oettinger is 5–3–2, 2.89 GAA, .899 SV%, while Saros is 5–5–3, 2.88 GAA, .902 SV%.

Team Recent Form

Dallas Stars:

4th in Central Division

Division record: 4–1

Recently dropped 3 of last 4, including a 7–5 loss to Anaheim

Nashville Predators:

7th in Central Division

Division record: 0–4

Lost 6 of last 7, including a 3–1 defeat vs. Philadelphia

Series History

All-time: Predators trail Stars 52–55–1–5, but hold a 32–23–1–2 home record.

2025 season: Dallas won the first meeting 3–2 in Nashville.

Betting Trends:

Stars are 4–10 on the puckline this season

Predators are 7–9 on the puckline

Dallas has gone 7–7 O/U; Nashville has gone Under in 10 of 16 games

Key Takeaway

This Central Division matchup pits Dallas’ balanced attack (Rantanen, Johnston, Robertson) against a Predators team struggling offensively but anchored by Juuse Saros. The Stars are favored due to their stronger record and division play, but Nashville’s home ice and desperation before their overseas trip add intrigue. Expect a tight, low-scoring contest with Dallas holding the edge.

Game Odds

Dallas Stars                         – 162

Nashville Predators        5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 7, 2025

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NHL Editor
Profile: A seasoned NHL analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical systems, player‑development pipelines, and organizational strategies. This columnist provides in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams evolve across an 82‑game season and into the postseason. Background: With extensive experience covering professional hockey, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching trends, and league‑wide movement. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term competitive cycles across all NHL markets. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive, defensive, and special‑teams systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline coverage Salary‑cap strategy, front‑office trends, and organizational philosophy Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex systems and statistical models into insights that resonate with both traditional hockey fans and analytically minded readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NHL’s speed, physicality, and evolving style of play.