Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/9/2022

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX

Where to watch: TNT

DraftKings: Stars -120, Predators +100

BetMGM: Stars -125, Predators +105

Caesars: Stars -120, Predators +100

Predators: 28-14-4

Stars: 23-18-2

I'm going to take this time and space to discuss Juuse Saros, because he deserves it.

The race for the Vezina Trophy is going to be an intriguing one. If you had to pick right now, Frederik Andersen in Carolina is probably the surefire bet. Jack Campbell might get some love, maybe even Tristan Jarry if things keep bouncing right in Pittsburgh.

But as the Nashville Predators get set to take on the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, the national TV audience will get a chance to see the one mostly responsible for this incredible run that the Predators are on that could very well end in a playoff spot when it's all said and done.

No goalie has started more than Saros and no goalie has appeared in more games than the Nashville netminder. Saros, fresh off an All-Star appearance last week in Las Vegas, has a 2.35 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.

But if you look at the advanced numbers, it's hard to find many who are better than Saros right now. His 11.11 goals saved above average at 5-on-5 is third best in the NHL behind Jarry and Thatcher Demko; his high-danger save percentage is third best in the league behind Alex Nedeljkovic and Demko, and his expected goals against his sixth most in the NHL.

What Saros is doing is incredible. And to think, it wasn't that long ago when he was one of the most coveted backups in the league behind Pekka Rinne. The decision to wait with him before he turns into an eventual starter has proven to be a worthwhile one. What that means once Yaroslav Askarov is ready to go is the bigger question, but one will think we'll get there eventually.

Nashville entered the All-Star break having won four of five and recording a point in five straight games. While the Stars are also on a run of five wins in seven games heading into the break, and playing inspired hockey, Saros has allowed two goals or less in five straight starts and just looks unbeatable right now.

The world may not have gotten the chance to see what Saros can do on the big stage yet, but the world is about to find out in a big way. Predators win 3-0

The Predators are 55-41 (+15.6 net units on the money line) against division opponents over the past three seasons.

The Predators are 13-5 (+7.2 units) after scoring four goals or more the previous game.

Predators:

Filip Forsberg -- Mikael Granlund -- Matt Duchene

Nick Cousins -- Ryan Johansen -- Luke Kunin

Yakov Trenin -- Colton Sissons -- Tanner Jeannot

Eeli Tolvanen -- Michael McCarron -- Philip Tomasino

Roman Josi -- Alexandre Carrier

Matthias Ekholm -- Matt Benning

Mark Borowiecki -- Dante Fabbro

Juuse Saros

Stars:

Jason Robertson -- Roope Hintz -- Joe Pavelski

Jamie Benn -- Tyler Seguin -- Denis Gurianov

Jacob Peterson -- Radek Faksa -- Alexander Radulov

Tanner Kero -- Riley Damiani -- Luke Glendening

Esa Lindell -- John Klingberg

Ryan Suter -- Miro Heiskanen

Joel Hanley -- Jani Hakanpaa

Jake Oettinger