Face-off: 2030 ET, 07/04/2022
Arena: American Airlines Center
Dallas will look to keep the pressure on in the Western Conference wild card race when they host Toronto.
The Leafs are in a battle of their own, though, and will hope to get back on the winning trail after surrendering a 5-1 lead in a 7-6 overtime loss to Florida.
That defeat saw them drop eight points behind the Panthers in the Atlantic Division but they can get back on track here.
We like 8.0 for an away victory by one goal in our Dallas Stars vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions.
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Dallas Stars Odds
The Stars opened a three-game homestand with a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
They will hope to make home ice count in a run of six games out of seven at the American Airlines Center.
Dallas coach Rick Bowness was full of praise for goaltender Jake Oettinger in that victory.
Oettinger had long periods of inactivity but he came up big when the Stars needed him, making 19 saves.
“The kid had a tough couple of periods because there was no shots,” Bowness said.
“That’s a tough game for a goalie to play when there’s absolutely no traffic, there’s no shots, nothing going on.
“When we needed him in the third, he came up big for us.”
Play-off positioning is key for both clubs, but 2.6 for a Toronto win with over 5.5 goals is added to our NHL predictions.
Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto will try to put Tuesday’s defeat in Florida behind them when they travel west.
The Maple Leafs led by four in the second period before the Panthers staged a stunning fightback to take a 6-5 lead.
John Tavares levelled on the powerplay for the Maple Leafs but Jonathan Huberdeau’s overtime winner meant the Panthers extended their division lead.
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe bemoaned the change of momentum that altered the course of the game.
“We go from having a chance on a breakaway to go up 6-1 to taking a too-many-men-on ice penalty right after,” he said.
“That starts the snowball. We had pretty terrible penalty killing.
“But I’m not going to focus on all that stuff, I’m going to focus on the fact we played a good hockey game.”
Veteran forward Jason Spezza insisted the Maple Leafs need to learn the lesson quickly down the stretch.
“You don’t want wild swings in a game where we had control,” Spezza added.
“When we have control like that, you want to lock it down. You have to learn from it. It’s a team we’re likely to see again.”
The visitors will be prepared following the rollercoaster night in Sunrise and 2.25 for them to win the third period appeals from the Dallas Stars vs Toronto Maple Leafs odds.
Additional stats
Last result:
DALLAS 3-2 New York Islanders
Florida 7-6 TORONTO (OT)
Season head-to-head: Toronto 4-0 Dallas
