NHL Parlay - Kings-Stars and Predators-Ducks

The Kings have been very consistent all year and their rankings are a testament to that. Currently they are in fifth place in the Western Conference, just two points behind fourth-seeded Phoenix. That is a big two points as the difference between fourth and fifth is home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. They do have a game in hand on the Coyotes with 16 to go, but they’ll need to put some wins together as the Coyotes have been playing solid hockey of late.

Dallas, on the other hand, has been a resident of the lower half of the conference for most of the season. It doesn’t look good for the Stars as they are seven points behind the eighth-place Flames, who have been playing very good hockey the last few weeks. What makes the task even more daunting is that all but five of their remaining games against playoff contending teams. If there is a silver lining is that they get to play their next six at home. Saying this home stand is a make or break stretch of the season is an understatement.

Here are a few NHL betting trends for tonight’s contest:

• Kings are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Kings are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Dallas.
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Dallas.
• Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

If the Stars wanted to prove they belonged in the playoffs, they sure haven’t showed it since the Olympic break. They’ve dropped four of five since the break, but they did manage a huge shootout win over Washington on Monday, but lost the next one to Buffalo.

With the Kings getting even money, my bet is on them to put a nail in the coffin of the Dallas Star’s season.

Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks, much like the Dallas Stars, really shot themselves in the foot when it comes to making the playoffs with their performance since the Olympics. Their poor play actually goes back to well before the break as they’ll be looking for their first win in nearly a month tonight when they host the Nashville Predators.

The Preds are coming off an embarrassing loss in San Jose last night where they took a two-goal lead into the third period before getting outscored 6-1 in the final frame on the way to an 8-5 blowout. They are really struggling to hold onto their playoff spots in the Western Conference as they are now tied with Calgary at 77-points for the final spot.

If they want to bounce back, they’ve come to the right place as the Ducks have dropped four straight since the Olympic break. With the Ducks very much out of the playoff race, look for the hungrier team to take this one tonight. My play is on the Predators at +125.