Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM CST)
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
TV: ESPN+, FDSO (FanDuel Sports Network South), Victory+
A Central Division clash with playoff implications sees the Nashville Predators visit the high-flying Dallas Stars. Dallas holds one of the Western Conference’s top spots (3rd Central / top-3 West), boasting elite goaltending and depth, while Nashville (5th Central) is battling for a wild-card spot after a strong third-period rally in their post-Olympic return.
Team Context
- Predators: 27-24-7 (61 points), 5th Central / Western wild-card bubble. Road record 11-12-4, goals for ~2.91/G (middling), goals against 3.47/G (bottom-half). Negative recent trends but showing fight.
- Stars: 35-14-9 (79 points), 3rd Central / elite Western contender. Strong home record (17-7-3), league-top goals for ~3.33/G, goals against 2.72/G (top-5). Positive goal differential and depth make them Cup favorites in many circles.
Recent Form
Predators snapped a mini-slump with a gritty 4-2 home win over Chicago on Feb. 26 (post-break opener; rallied with three third-period goals from Matthew Wood, Ryan O’Reilly (GWG), and Steven Stamkos (empty-net); Justus Annunen 21 saves). They’ve been 4-3-3 in recent stretches, averaging 3.5 GF/G but allowing 3.7. Momentum from the comeback win carries them into Dallas.
Stars are rolling, winning their last game 4-1 over Seattle on Feb. 25 (pre-break momentum sustained). They’ve been dominant at home and show strong process metrics across five-on-five and special teams. Dallas has been one of the league’s most consistent clubs all season.
Injury Report
Predators
- Erik Haula (LW/C) – Not injury related/game-time decision (listed as questionable; check warmups).
- Juuse Saros (G) – Game-time decision (potential starter; Annunen hot in last outing).
- No major long-term absences; core healthy post-break with recalls like Zachary L’Heureux and Matthew Wood contributing.
Stars
- Roope Hintz (C) – Day-to-Day (illness; questionable for Feb. 28).
- Radek Faksa (C) – IR (upper-body; possible return Feb. 28).
- Mikko Rantanen (RW) – IR (lower-body; expected back ~Mar 8).
- Tyler Seguin (C) – IR (torn ACL; longer-term).
- Kyle McDonald (RW) – IR (knee).
Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Miro Heiskanen anchor a healthy core; depth tested but Stars’ system prevails.
Key Player Matchups
- Goaltending: Justus Annunen / Juuse Saros (NSH – Annunen strong in win; Saros elite if cleared) vs. Jake Oettinger (DAL – .915+ SV%, rock-solid home). Edge to Dallas.
- Top Centers: Ryan O’Reilly / Filip Forsberg line (NSH – O’Reilly GWG hero) vs. Wyatt Johnston / Matt Duchene (DAL – depth scoring). Hintz absence hurts but Dallas reloads.
- Scoring Wings: Steven Stamkos / Matthew Wood (NSH – emerging depth) vs. Jason Robertson / Jamie Benn (DAL – veteran finish). Stars’ speed overwhelms transition.
- Defense: Roman Josi anchors Nashville’s mobile group vs. Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley (elite puck-movers). Dallas controls possession.
Special teams favor Dallas: strong PP and elite PK vs. Preds’ opportunistic units.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Dallas leads the season series 2-0:
- Oct. 26, 2025: DAL win (Rantanen GWG, Back season debut).
- Another meeting earlier; Stars 2-0 with 8-6 goal edge (4.00 GF/G vs. 3.00 GA/G in series).
Dallas has dominated recent matchups, winning convincingly.
Betting Trends
- Total: Under trends in Stars home games). Overs in Preds’ recent (9 of last 13); Stars allow low but offense potent.
- Other Trends: Stars cover as home favorites; Preds 4-10 SU last 14 vs. DAL. Dallas strong ATS home; Preds rally potential but road struggles.
Dallas’ consistency, home strength, and depth make them the clear side despite Nashville’s momentum. The Preds could keep it competitive early with O’Reilly/Forsberg
.
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 5.5
Dallas Stars – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
