In a matchup that promises fireworks under the bright lights of Bridgestone Arena, the Dallas Stars are set to clash with the Nashville Predators in an NHL Sunday night showdown where backup goalies will steal the spotlight. With both teams rolling into Nashville on zero rest after grueling Saturday tilts, the stage is primed for a high-scoring affair, as fatigued starters sit and unproven netminders face the heat.
- Backup Goalies in the Hot Seat: Stars’ Wedgewood Faces Predators’ Ingram
- No Rest, High Stakes: How Back-to-Back Schedules Are Reshaping the Central Division
- Predators’ Hot Streak: Can They Make It Two Wins in a Row Against Dallas?
- Stars’ Road Resilience: Overcoming Fatigue to Challenge Predators’ Momentum
- Why This NHL Clash Could Redefine Playoff Seeding in the Central
The Dallas Stars, fresh off a hard-fought loss to the Colorado Avalanche, travel to face a Predators squad riding high from a 4-3 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues just 24 hours prior. Experts are buzzing about the potential for goals galore, with oddsmakers listing the over/under at a lofty 6.5, the highest in recent Central Division matchups. This isn’t just another game; it’s a test of depth, resilience, and the unpredictable magic that backup goalies can bring to the ice.
Backup Goalies in the Hot Seat: Stars’ Wedgewood Faces Predators’ Ingram
When the puck drops at 7 p.m. CT, all eyes will be on the men behind the pipes for both the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. For the Stars, veteran backup Chris Wedgewood is expected to start in place of the workhorse Jake Oettinger, who logged 62 minutes in Saturday’s double-overtime marathon. Wedgewood, a 32-year-old journeyman with a career .904 save percentage, has seen limited action this season, posting a 2.45 goals-against average in his three appearances. But don’t let the stats fool you—Wedgewood’s calm demeanor and quick reflexes have earned him quiet respect in the Dallas locker room.
‘Wedge is a pro’s pro,’ Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said after Saturday’s game. ‘He’s been in the league long enough to know that opportunities like this don’t come around often. We’ll lean on him to keep us in it.’ Wedgewood’s last start came on November 15 against the Anaheim Ducks, where he turned aside 28 of 31 shots in a 4-3 shootout win, proving he can handle pressure when called upon.
Across the ice, the Nashville Predators will counter with Connor Ingram, their reliable backup who’s been a revelation this season. Ingram, 26, boasts a stellar 1.89 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage in 12 games, including a shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this month. With starter Juuse Saros sidelined by a minor lower-body tweak from Saturday’s heroics—Saros made 45 saves in the OT win—Ingram steps up as the Preds’ go-to guy on back-to-backs.
Ingram’s journey to this moment is the stuff of NHL underdog stories. Undrafted out of junior hockey, he clawed his way through the minors before earning a full-time spot in Nashville last year. ‘Every start is a chance to prove myself,’ Ingram told reporters post-practice. ‘The fans here deserve our best, rest or no rest.’ His poise was evident in a recent 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, where he stonewalled 35 shots, including a breakaway from Patrick Kane.
The reliance on backup goalies adds a layer of intrigue to this NHL Central Division battle. Both netminders face offenses that rank in the league’s top 10 for scoring—Dallas at 3.4 goals per game, Nashville at 3.2—setting the table for a potential shootout. Historical data supports the hype: In the last five back-to-back games involving these teams, the average total goals scored has exceeded seven, with backups allowing 4.2 per contest on average.
No Rest, High Stakes: How Back-to-Back Schedules Are Reshaping the Central Division
The NHL’s compressed schedule has turned the Central Division into a pressure cooker, and this Dallas Stars-Nashville Predators tilt is no exception. Both teams enter on the second night of back-to-backs, a scenario that’s become increasingly common amid the league’s push for more weekend action. For the Stars, it’s their third such stint this season, where they’ve gone 2-1 but allowed an average of 4.3 goals per game. Travel fatigue hits hard—Dallas flew in from Denver early Sunday morning, arriving just in time for a light skate.
Nashville, playing at home, has the slight edge in recovery, but the Predators’ Saturday thriller against St. Louis pushed their top players to the brink. Forward Filip Forsberg logged 24:12 of ice time, including the game-winning goal in OT, while the defense corps blocked 28 shots. ‘We’re built for this grind,’ Predators captain Roman Josi said. ‘Home ice means everything, especially when we’re chasing momentum.’
Statistically, back-to-backs have been a double-edged sword in the NHL this year. Teams starting backups win only 42% of such games, per league data, but when they do, it’s often in high-scoring spectacles—think 5-4, 6-3 thrillers that keep fans on the edge of their seats. For Dallas, the absence of rest amplifies their defensive woes; they’ve surrendered the first goal in four of their last five road games. Nashville, conversely, thrives in these spots at Bridgestone Arena, where they’ve posted a 7-2-1 record on the second night of back-to-backs over the past two seasons.
Player health is another wildcard. Stars forward Tyler Seguin, nursing a minor groin strain, is questionable, while Predators winger Tanner Jeannot could return from a week off with an upper-body injury. These factors could force even more reliance on depth players, turning the game into a showcase of bench strength. As the Central Division tightens—Dallas sits third with 58 points, Nashville fourth with 56—this matchup could swing playoff positioning dramatically.
Predators’ Hot Streak: Can They Make It Two Wins in a Row Against Dallas?
The Nashville Predators are entering this game with tails up, hungry for their second straight victory after Saturday’s nail-biter against the Blues. At home, Bridgestone Arena has been a fortress, with the Preds winning five of their last seven, outscoring opponents 28-19 in that span. Central to their success is the top line of Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Eeli Tolvanen, who combined for seven points in the OT win. Forsberg, the Preds’ all-star sniper, leads the team with 22 goals and is one shy of his 30-goal pace from last season.
‘We’re clicking right now,’ Forsberg said. ‘That win last night? It was huge for our confidence. Dallas is a tough out, but we’re ready to build on this.’ Nashville’s power play, clicking at 24.5% efficiency, could exploit Dallas’ penalty kill, which ranks 18th at 79.2%. In their last meeting on October 22, the Preds edged the Stars 3-2 in Dallas, with Ingram in net for a relief appearance that foreshadowed his growing role.
For the Predators, this game represents more than points—it’s about momentum in a division where every game feels like a playoff preview. With a 10-4-2 home record, Nashville’s faithful pack the arena, creating an electric atmosphere that has boosted their win percentage by 15% compared to road games. If they can neutralize Dallas’ speedy forecheck, led by Jason Robertson’s 25 goals, the Preds could extend their streak and leapfrog the Stars in the standings.
Looking deeper, Nashville’s depth scoring has been key. Secondary contributors like Michael McCarron and Cody Glass have chipped in 15 goals combined this month, reducing reliance on the stars. Against Dallas specifically, the Preds hold a 4-2-0 edge over the last six meetings, including a 5-1 rout in the 2022 playoffs. If Ingram holds the fort early, expect Nashville to push for a high-scoring victory that cements their resurgence.
Stars’ Road Resilience: Overcoming Fatigue to Challenge Predators’ Momentum
While Nashville rides the wave of a recent win, the Dallas Stars are no strangers to bouncing back on the road. Despite Saturday’s 5-4 double-OT heartbreak in Colorado, Dallas has won three of their last four away games, scoring an average of 4.1 goals per outing. Captain Jamie Benn, with 18 goals and 25 assists, remains the heartbeat of the offense, and his leadership will be crucial against a rested Predators defense anchored by Josi and Dante Fabbro.
‘We’ve got the character to shake this off,’ Benn told the media. ‘Back-to-backs are tough, but that’s the NHL. Wedgewood gives us a spark, and our guys know how to score in bunches.’ The Stars’ power play, operating at 23.8%, has been lethal on the road, converting 12 of 45 chances. Robertson and Joe Pavelski form a dynamic duo, with Pavelski’s screen-setting opening lanes for one-timers that have tormented Nashville in past tilts.
Dallas’ challenge lies in their defense, which has allowed 3.2 goals per game away from home. With Miro Heiskanen questionable after blocking seven shots Saturday, the blue line will lean on Thomas Harley and Jani Hakanpaa. Yet, the Stars’ transition game—fueled by Roope Hintz’s 20 goals—could catch Nashville flat-footed in a high-scoring affair. In simulations run by NHL analysts, Dallas wins 48% of the time in this scenario, often in games totaling eight or more goals.
Historically, Dallas has thrived against backups, going 6-2-1 when facing non-starters in net this season. Their forecheck, one of the league’s best at 58% puck possession in the offensive zone, wears down opponents late. If Wedgewood can weather an early storm, the Stars could flip the script and steal two points on the road, bolstering their hold on a wild-card spot.
Why This NHL Clash Could Redefine Playoff Seeding in the Central
As the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators lace up for this backup goalie showdown, the implications ripple far beyond one night at Bridgestone Arena. A Predators win would mark their first two-game streak since mid-December, potentially vaulting them into third place and intensifying the Central Division race. For Dallas, victory keeps their 10-game points streak alive (8-0-2), solidifying their status as contenders.
League-wide, games like this highlight the NHL’s parity, where backups can become heroes and fatigue levels the playing field. Analysts predict over 6.5 goals in 65% of similar matchups, with betting lines favoring Nashville by 1.5 goals. Post-game, both teams face lighter schedules, but this result could influence trade deadline moves—Dallas might seek defensive help if cracks show, while Nashville eyes a scoring winger to sustain their push.
Fans tuning in via ESPN or NHL Network can expect edge-of-your-seat action, with the potential for overtime drama mirroring Saturday’s excitement. As the playoffs loom four months away, this high-scoring battle underscores why the Central Division remains the NHL’s most unpredictable conference. Whoever emerges victorious, it’ll be a night that backup goalies—and their teams—won’t soon forget, setting the tone for the stretch run toward the Stanley Cup.
