Quick Read
- Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators face off Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena, both missing key players due to injuries.
- Stars hold a statistical edge in power play (34%) while Predators lead in penalty kill (82%).
- Wyatt Johnston is on a career-best scoring streak for Dallas; Filip Forsberg leads Nashville’s offense.
- Dallas has won nine of the last 13 meetings against Nashville, including five of the last six in Nashville.
- Betting odds favor Dallas (-160); over/under is set at 6.
Injury Report Shapes the Matchup
The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators meet at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, November 8, with both teams navigating a string of injuries that could tilt the scales. According to USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire and Yahoo Sports, the Stars are without key contributors: Matt Duchene (upper body), Jamie Benn (lung), and Nils Lundkvist (lower body) are all sidelined. Duchene, a versatile center, had notched 2 points in 4 games before his recent setback. Benn, who remains on injured reserve, has yet to suit up this season, and Lundkvist is also out after showing promise on defense.
The Predators face their own challenges. Cole Smith (upper body) is out after 13 appearances, Roman Josi (upper body) misses time after eight games and five points, and Adam Wilsby (lower body) is day-to-day. These absences have forced Nashville to dig deep into its lineup, a test of depth and resilience.
Stats, Streaks, and Standouts
Numbers often tell the underlying story in hockey, and these teams’ current stats offer a window into their strengths and vulnerabilities. The Stars arrive with a 7-4-3 record (3-1-2 away), while the Predators sit at 5-7-4 (4-4-2 home). Dallas holds 17 points, ranking fourth in the Central Division, while Nashville trails with 14 points at sixth.
Special teams play a crucial role: Dallas boasts an impressive 34% power play efficiency (17-for-50), one of the best in the league. Nashville lags far behind at 14.3% (7-for-49), a gap that could prove decisive. The penalty kill tells a different story—Nashville’s 82% kill rate outpaces Dallas at 70.5%, suggesting the Predators can capitalize on shorthanded opportunities.
Recent form is another lens. Over the last 10 games, Dallas stands at 4-3-3, and Nashville at 3-5-2, with the Stars having won nine of their last 13 meetings against the Predators, including five of the last six games at Bridgestone Arena.
Players to Watch: Johnston and Forsberg Lead the Charge
Wyatt Johnston, Dallas’ emerging star forward, is the talk of the locker room and the league. Just 22, Johnston has posted three-point games in back-to-back outings—a first in his career. He’s racked up 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 14 games, making him second in team scoring and tied for the NHL lead in power-play goals. His ability to perform under pressure, especially in the absence of veterans Duchene and Hintz, highlights his maturity and tenacity. Johnston’s performance against Nashville is notable: nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) in 13 games, including a clutch game-tying goal on October 26.
Mikko Rantanen remains a thorn in Nashville’s side. With seven points in his last five games against the Predators and a career average of 1.13 points per game in this matchup, his consistency is a tactical advantage for Dallas. Jason Robertson, known for his playmaking, tallied two assists in the last meeting and boasts 28 points in 25 games versus Nashville—the highest against any opponent in his career.
For Nashville, Filip Forsberg is the franchise’s offensive engine. He leads the team this season with 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) and holds the all-time goals record for the Predators. His three-game point streak against Dallas signals a player in rhythm, and his experience could be a stabilizing force amid injury woes.
Strategic Trends and What to Expect
Team statistics reveal where the battle lines are drawn. Nashville ranks 30th in the league with just 2.44 goals per game, struggling to generate offense. Dallas, conversely, ranks 22nd in goals allowed at 3.21, indicating room for defensive tightening.
A surprising stat: Dallas leads the league in blocked shots (17 per game), a testament to their commitment to defensive play. Nashville, meanwhile, ranks near the bottom with 11.8 blocks, which may leave their goaltenders exposed. On the flip side, Dallas is last in SAT (shot attempt differential) percentage at 42.4%, suggesting that while they block shots effectively, they may not control possession as consistently as elite teams.
Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook favor Dallas at -160, with Nashville as the underdog at +135. The over/under is set at 6, reflecting expectations of a competitive, moderately high-scoring game.
Inside the Locker Room: Mentality and Momentum
Johnston’s rise is a story of mentorship and raw drive. Living with veteran Joe Pavelski in his first two seasons, Johnston learned the nuances of NHL life both on and off the ice, including the art of deflecting shots in front of the net—a Pavelski hallmark. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan praises Johnston’s hockey IQ and competitiveness, noting, “Give me competitiveness and sense. I’ll take that all day long, and that’s what he has.”
But pressure is never absent. Johnston’s new contract averages $8.4 million a year, adding expectations. Teammate Tyler Seguin describes him as someone who “just loves the game… He works hard. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he loves the big ones.”
On the other side, frustration simmers in Nashville. After a recent loss to Philadelphia, center Ryan O’Reilly didn’t mince words: “I just turn the puck over everywhere and can’t make a six-foot pass to save my life. We’re not going to have much success if I’m playing pathetic like that. I don’t have any answers.” The candid admission points to the psychological toll of a tough season and hints at the urgency for improvement.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?
After this matchup, Dallas faces the Seattle Kraken, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens—each a test in their own right. For Nashville, regrouping and recovering from injuries will be crucial if they hope to climb the Central Division standings.
With power-play dynamism, emerging young stars, and veteran leadership, the Dallas Stars appear poised to capitalize on Nashville’s vulnerabilities. Yet, the Predators’ stronger penalty kill and Forsberg’s steady hand mean the outcome is far from predetermined. For fans and analysts alike, Saturday’s game offers a rich tapestry of storylines: resilience under pressure, the impact of injuries, and the ever-present unpredictability of hockey.
The Stars enter Saturday with statistical edges and momentum, but the absence of key players on both sides adds uncertainty. If Dallas can leverage its power play and maintain defensive discipline, they stand to extend their dominance over Nashville. However, the Predators’ penalty kill and Forsberg’s leadership could spark a turnaround, especially if Nashville’s depth rises to the occasion. This matchup promises to be more than a numbers game—it’s a test of character and adaptability in the heart of the NHL season.