One of six NHL games scheduled for Monday, December 12, is this inter-conference tilt in Pittsburgh, so make sure you read the best Stars vs. Penguins betting pick and odds.

Pittsburgh is searching for the sixth consecutive win when they host Dallas at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins are -128 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6 goals. These inter-conference rivals have met twice last year, and the Stars won both games.

Stars recorded a back-to-back OT win

The Dallas Stars (16-7-3-2, 16-12 ATS) concluded their five-game homestay with a pair of overtime victories over the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings. Now, the Stars will open their five-game road trip with this game against the Penguins, their longest road stay of the season.

Denis Gurianov and Jamie Benn scored for the Stars in regulation, while Nils Lundkvist scored a game-winning goal in overtime to give the Stars a 3-2 win over the Red Wings. Mason Marchment recorded a pair of assists in a win. So far this season, Jason Robertson has been phenomenal and is currently the 3rd top offensive producer in the NHL with 42 points (G 23, A 19). Roope Hintz has 32 (G 11, A 21) and Joe Pavelski is the team’s third star with 29 points (G 10, A 19).

Jake Oettinger (11-3-3) will likely start at the goal against the Penguins on Monday. The 23-year-old is conceding 2.52 goals per game this season with a .915 SV% and two shutouts.

Penguins are on the rise

The Pittsburgh Penguins (16-8-4-0, 13-15 ATS) are playing their best hockey of the year. They won ten of the last 12 games and are on a five-game winning streak with an opportunity to record their sixth in a row for the first time this season. Most recently, the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres in back-to-back duels, the second of which was played in Pittsburgh.

Sidney Crosby dominated in a 3-1 victory over the Sabres with two goals and an assist. Casey DeSmith was fantastic at the goal for the Penguins as he registered a season-high 37 saves, and the only goal he allowed came in the final period. This year, Sidney Crosby is the best Penguin with 38 points (G 17, A 21), while Jake Guentzel with 29 (G 13, A 16), and Evgeni Malkin with 28 (G 8, A 20) are also top producers on offense.

Tristan Jarry (12-3-3) is a probable starting goaltender for Pittsburgh against the Stars on Monday. The 27-year-old is allowing 2.76 goals per contest this year with a .919 SV% and one shutout.

Trends:

Dallas:

  • 1-5 in the last six vs. a team with a winning record

Pittsburgh:

  • 5-0 in the last five overall
  • 4-0 in the last four home games
  • 6-0 in the last six vs. Western Conference rivals

Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick  

Although Dallas is slightly better than Pittsburgh in both offense and defense, I am going with the Penguins because they are playing their best hockey at the moment. Over the last five games, the Penguins allowed more than two goals only twice and scored 4+ in four. On the other hand, Dallas conceded 15 goals in the last four games, and I am backing the hosts to outscore the Stars in this one. Crosby registered seven points in the previous five games, and I expect the captain to continue with his solid production on Monday and lead his team to another win.

Pick: Take the Penguins to win (-128)

The Total

We have a pair of high-scoring teams here. Dallas is the third-best in the NHL with 3.71 goals per game, while Pittsburgh is 6th with 3.54 gpg. These rivals have solid defenses, but I don’t think that will matter in this game, especially not Dallas’, which failed to impress recently. Over is 7-3-1 in the Stars’ last 11 games following a win; Over is 12-4 in the Penguins’ previous 16 games playing on one day of rest, while Over is 4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last five vs. Central Division rivals.

Pick: Go Over 6 goals (-110)