While there is lots of NHL action New Year’s Eve, there is only one game taking place on January 1st. The Winter Classic will feature the Dallas Stars playing host to the Nashville Predators, as the game shifts outdoors to the Cotton Bowl.
Entering tomorrow’s first game of 2020, the Predators find themselves near the bottom of the Central Division, while the Stars are 3rd in the Central. However, the Stars and Predators are separated by only six points.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 31st, 8:30 p.m. (EST)
Online bookmaker SportsBetting has the Stars as slight favorites at -110 on the Money Line.
Both Nashville and Dallas are on streaks of their own entering this game. The Predators have won two straight, while the Stars have lost two straight.
The weather may be a factor in tomorrow’s game. According to NHL.com, the crew preparing the ice for the Winter Classic had to battle warmer temperatures and pouring rain while trying to prep the ice for Wednesday. One has to wonder what the ice conditions will be like on Wednesday, even if NHL officials are saying the game should go off without a hitch.
As for the players on the ice, Juuse Saros and Ben Bishop are the projected starters for their respective clubs. Saros is 5-7-3 with a 3.22 GAA and 0.89SV%. The veteran Bishop is 13-9-3 this season, with 1 shutout, a 2.34 GAA and .926SV%.
Both teams enter this contest owning a record above .500. The Stars are 22-14-4, while the Preds are 18-14-6. The Predators can gain some much-needed ground with a victory in tomorrow’s matinee.
Tomorrow will be the first outdoor game in franchise history for both the Predators and Stars.
