One game after pulling off their biggest win of the season, the Bruins failed to ride the momentum, falling flat in a 7-2 loss to the Stars Thursday night at American Airlines Center. The Bruins fell to 8-8-2 as they continued their maddening, season-long pattern of one-step-forward, two-steps-back hockey.

Thursday. Puck drop from the American Airlines Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Bruins vs. Stars odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Bruins are expected to roll out the same forward lines they did last game. However, with Hampus Lindholm injured, recent call-up Jordan Oesterle will make his Bruins debut. He is set to play on the bottom pairing with Parker Wotherspoon. In addition, Mason Lohrei will take over Lindholm's spot on the second pairing with Brandon Carlo.

The Dallas Stars (9-5, in the Central Division) are back from a two-game road trip for a matchup against the Boston Bruins (8-7-2, in the Atlantic Division). The Stars bounced back from rough four-game stretch in historic fashion,

Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in.