NHL Predictions For Sunday, February 12

Dallas currently set the pace in the Western Conference, while they have reached the last three Stanley Cup finals, winning two of them. They look set for another top three finish in the Atlantic Division as they boast a nine point lead over the Buffalo Sabres in fourth. The Stars have been excellent at both end, scoring 173 goals, while only conceding 133 times. 

Tampa Bay remain one of the strongest all-round teams and currently sit in ninth in the NHL with 141 goals scored and 175 conceded. Interestingly, they have scored two more goals than the stars despite having played three less matches. 

Nikita Kucherov he been excellent when going forward, and he is ranked joint-third in the NHL with 72 points, leading the way for assists with 53. Brayden Points is at the top of the Lightning's goal charts with 29. 

Past meetings between the sides has seen an even split, with two wins each in their last four. Tampa Bay won 5-4 in overtime in their first meeting this season, which came back in November. However, the Lightning have a less than impressive record on the road, with 12-11-0 in comparison to their record of 20-4-1 at home, meaning the Stars are tipped to take their revenge. 

The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup last year in stunning style as they dominated the competition. However, there is s till a chance they could become only the fourth team since 1971 to fail to make the post-season as the defending champions. 

A large injury list is hampering the Avalanche this season, but they will hope for a boost in results as this list begins to shorten, with the side winning seven of their eight before the break for the All-Star game. 

The Florida Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy last year before then losing to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Their hopes of another run to the playoffs are a lot more desperate than their next opponents. 

While the Panthers are only three points short of the World Card places, they do not have games in hand like the Avalanche. With Tampa Bay 11 points ahead of them with four games in hand, a Wild Card spot seems to be the height of what the Panthers can achieve. Consistent wins are the only things that can keep the Panthers alive in the competition. 

The Panthers have not been perfect this season, but they are better at home (13-7-3) than they are on the road (11-15-3). They also boast three wins in their last four against Colorado, with a 5-4 win in their last meeting in January. However, since then, the Avalanche have improved massively, and are a far more alluring proposition to back to win.