Wednesday Night Hockey (Dec. 4): Prediction, Odds & Starting Goalies for Stars vs Kings

• The surging Dallas Stars clash with the LA Kings on Wednesday Night Hockey
• Dallas has won six of the last seven meetings with the Kings
• Read below for our Stars vs Kings prediction for Wednesday, along with odds and starting goalies

The Dallas Stars are aiming for their fifth win in a row against the LA Kings as they hit the West Coast for a late-night game on Wednesday (December 4). This Western Conference matchup will take place at Crypto.com Arena, with the puck dropping at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. You can catch all the action on TNT.

The oddsmakers have installed the Stars as slight road favorites at -115, while the total sits at 5.5 goals. Can Dallas continue their recent success against Los Angeles and maintain their momentum in the Western Conference playoff race?

Here is our Stars vs Kings prediction for Wednesday Night Hockey.

Stars vs Kings Prediction & Best Bet

I love the Stars on the moneyline in this Western Conference tilt. Dallas has been flat-out dominant lately, going 8-3 in their last 11 games. Dalas’ recent impressive stretch includes an impressive 11-3 mark against Western Conference opponents in their last 14 contests.

More importantly, the Stars have had the Kings’ number recently, winning six of the last seven meetings dating back to 2019, including four straight victories.

The Stars’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders this season, sitting 9th in the NHL at 3.38 goals per game. The dynamic duo of Matt Duchene (28 points) and Mason Marchment (24 points) has been leading the charge, while Roope Hinzt (10 goals) continues to provide reliable secondary scoring.

MASON MARCHMENT, THAT WAS RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JGhJHWVgUJ

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 1, 2024

The Kings counter with a balanced attack led by Anze Kopitar (29 points) and Adrian Kempe (24 points), but their 16th-ranked offense (3.04 goals per game) might struggle to keep pace with the high-flying Stars.

Between the pipes, Dallas holds a clear advantage, with Jake Oettinger likely getting the start. The 23-year-old netminder has been stellar this season, ranking 7th in save percentage (.915) and 5th in GAA (2.38) among goalies with 10+ appearances. Los Angeles will likely counter with David Rittich, who owns a subpar .887 save percentage and 2.48 GAA.

The Stars have proven they can get it done on the road, going 4-2 in their last six away games. They’ve also had success keeping games low-scoring in LA recently, with the total going under in five straight visits to Crypto.com Arena.

Given their recent dominance in the head-to-head series, superior goaltending, and impressive play against Western Conference foes, I’m backing the Stars to secure a big road win in LA tonight.

• The Pick: Stars ML (-115)

Stars vs Kings Odds

Odds as of December 4, 2024, at ESPN Bet.

The Stars are currently favored to win, with the moneyline set at -115. This means a $115 bet on Dallas would return a profit of $100 if they emerge victorious. The Kings are slight underdogs at -105.

Dallas is listed at -1.5 (+210) on the puck line, while Los Angeles is +1.5 (-300). A Stars puck line bet would require them to win by 2+ goals for a $210 profit on a $100 wager. The Kings puck line would cash if they win outright or lose by a single goal.

The game total is set at 5.5 goals, with the over slightly juiced at -125 and the under at +105. Oddsmakers expect a relatively low-scoring affair, which aligns with both teams’ defensive capabilities.

Probable Starting Goalies

Dallas Stars: Jake Oettinger

• Career Games Played: 210
• Career Goals Against Average (GAA): 2.49
• Career Save Percentage (SV%): .913

Los Angeles Kings: David Rittich

• Career Games Played: 212
• Career Goals Against Average (GAA): 2.96
• Career Save Percentage (SV%): .905

Oettinger has the edge in both GAA and save percentage, as well as similar experience despite being seven years younger. The young Stars netminder gives Dallas a distinct advantage in goal for this late-night Western Conference tilt.

Wednesday night hockey is set to be an exciting matchup between the Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Kings on December 4th. Both teams are coming off of strong performances in their previous games, making this game a must-watch for hockey fans.

The Stars are currently sitting in fourth place in the Central Division with a record of 15-10-3. They have been playing solid hockey as of late, winning four of their last five games. Their offense has been clicking, with players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn leading the charge. On the defensive end, goaltender Ben Bishop has been stellar, posting a .927 save percentage and a 2.29 goals against average.

The Kings, on the other hand, are in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a record of 11-15-2. They have struggled at times this season, but have shown flashes of potential. Their offense is led by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, who have been putting up points consistently. In goal, Jonathan Quick has been solid, with a .904 save percentage and a 2.94 goals against average.

In terms of odds, the Stars are favored to win this matchup. They have been playing well recently and have the advantage in both offense and defense. The Kings will need to step up their game if they want to come out on top in this one.

As for the starting goalies, it is expected that Ben Bishop will get the nod for the Stars, while Jonathan Quick will likely start for the Kings. Both goaltenders have been playing well this season and will be key factors in determining the outcome of this game.

Overall, Wednesday night hockey between the Stars and Kings promises to be an exciting matchup. With both teams looking to secure a crucial win, fans can expect a fast-paced and competitive game. Be sure to tune in to see who comes out on top in this showdown on the ice.