NHL Predictions: March 2nd, Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Dallas Stars taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks

2025-2026 Season Series: Dallas 1-1 Vancouver

Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) | 7:00 p.m. Pacific

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN, TVAS, Victory+, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Rogers Arena in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Vancouver Canucks return home to Rogers Arena to kick off a 14-game month of March. They will be facing a Dallas Stars team that is on an eight-game winning streak, looking to push for the top spot in the NHL’s Central Division standings. Dallas sits at 36-14-9 after 59 games, with 81 points, while Vancouver sits at 18-34-7 after 59 games, with 43 points. Moreover, this will be the third and final meeting between these two teams. Dallas won the previous meeting, 4-2, on November 20th in Vancouver.

The Stars Story

Dallas has been in the shadow of the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division for virtually the entire season. They are closing in on them now, as they have won eight-consecutive games, and sit six points behind. Getting that top spot would allow them to avoid a first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild, which would be a tough battle to say the least.

One aspect of the Stars to look out for would be their potent power play. Their power play sits at 30.1%, which is good enough to rank second in the league. With strong offensive firepower coming from Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, and Wyatt Johnston, this comes as no surprise. However, they will be missing Rantanen for the next couple of weeks, as he suffered an injury during the Olympics.

The Canucks Story

This week could be one of the most critical weeks for this franchise, and no, it will not be decided on the ice. Games will continue to be played, but the off-ice matters are the main story for the week as the NHL Trade Deadline is on Friday.

One player to watch will be Elias Pettersson, the forward. Head coach Adam Foote, when asked about why Pettersson was not on the power play units in the third, as well as late in the game, said that he had to play better. Although Pettersson is the leading point-getter for the Canucks, with 35 points in 51 games, as a player who is expected to drive the offence, it has not been the case this season. One would hope he has a strong bounce-back game here tonight.