Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 2 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Colorado struck first in this heavyweight Western Conference playoff series, cruising to a 5-1 Game 1 victory on Saturday night.
The Avs open Game 2 as -145 favourites to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.0.
Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Betting Odds
Including the regular season, these teams have met four times this year, with Colorado winning the last three. Of course, the Avalanche are looking for revenge after being ousted by Dallas in a six-game second-round playoff series last year.
It’s not surprising to see Colorado’s odds jump on the NHL futures board after their Game 1 victory. The Avalanche improved to -450 on the series line (previously -160) and they are +500 favourites to win the Stanley Cup (previously +750).
That means the Stars have faded. Dallas is now +350 to win the series (previously +135) and they are +2200 to win the Cup (previously +850).
The favoured series result is now Colorado winning in five games at +260. If you still think these juggernauts will go the distance, you can snag the Avs in seven games at +550 and the Stars in seven at +700.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon was the catalyst for Colorado’s Game 1 win, recording two goals and an assist while seeing just over 20 minutes of ice time. Artturi Lehkonen, Charlie Coyle and Devon Toews also found the back of the net. MacKinnon picked up his 50th career postseason goal and head coach Jared Bednar recorded his 50th career postseason win.
After 252 regular season games over seven seasons with three teams, Mackenzie Blackwood made his playoff debut in Game 1 and silenced any doubters. Blackwood turned aside 23 of 24 shots faced, with the only goal he allowed coming when he didn’t have his stick.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played since Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022, remains an option to return in this series, likely playing in a depth role. Landeskog’s return is expected to come at home in Game 3 or 4.
Dallas Stars
A Roope Hintz power play marker was the lone goal for Dallas in Game 1. It was a much more competitive event than the score would indicate. The Stars only trailed by one at the midway point of the third period and the shots were an even 24-24 at the end of the game. Colorado’s fourth goal came on an empty net and the fifth was a flukey late goal when the game was all but over.
Jake Oettinger allowed four goals on 23 shots in Game 1, but you can’t put the loss at his feet as two of the goals took bizarre bounces. The main concern is Dallas’ current spiral. They’ve now lost eight straight games and they’ve given up 21 total goals over their last four. That’s a recipe for disaster against an Avalanche team that ranked sixth in goals per game (3.33) during the regular season.
Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson both continue to deal with knee injuries. Heiskanen is listed as day-to-day, although there’s a belief he realistically won’t ben ready until the second round. Robertson is listed as week-to-week, so he is also unlikely to feature in this series.
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DAL