NHL Matchup - January 7, 2008

The Dallas Stars will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they host the Minnesota Wild at the American Airlines Center tonight.

Dallas holds a 7-2-1 SU edge over the past 10 meetings, but the Wild doubled the Stars 6-3 the last time they played last Thursday. The Wild were a 170-moneyline favorite and the score went well Over the total of 5.

Over/under bettors should take note of a significant Over trend in Wild-Stars matchups: The total has gone Over in all five of the past five meetings in Dallas, and in six of the past eight meetings overall.

Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its past five on the road against Dallas.

In their last game, the Wild (23-16-2 SU) were beaten 4-1 by the Nashville Predators in Nashville on Saturday, as -120 favorites. The five goals were a Push against the total of 5. Dallas (23-16-4 SU) was shut out 3-0 by the Detroit Red Wings as +115 home underdogs on Saturday. The score was Under the total of 5.

Minnesota is 9-9-2 SU on the road this season, while Dallas is 12-7-2 SU at home.

Goaltender Niklas Backstrom will get the start for the Wild, while Marty Turco will be in net for the Stars.

Sportsbooks were reporting on Monday afternoon that more than 67 per cent of bettors were backing a Dallas win.

Betting Line: Dallas is a 145-moneyline favorite at BetUS. The over/under is 5.