Avalanche vs. Stars Game 6 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds

Sports Interaction Staff | Updated Sep 01, 2020

Jamie Benn, Stars, 2020

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The Avalanche open as slight favourites for Game 6 at Sport Interaction, listed at -125 on the NHL odds with the Stars at +105. 

Colorado
42-20-7-1
AT
September 02, 2020, 8:00 PM ET
Rogers Place
Dallas
37-24-5-3
Puckline -1.5 +198
Moneyline -116
Over / Under o +6

53%

Betting Action

47%

Matchup NHL Odds
Puckline +1.5 -238
Moneyline -104
Over / Under u +6

53%

Betting Action

47%

Matchup NHL Odds

Helped by a five goal first period, the Avalanche took a 6-3 decision on Monday night, but still trail their best-of-7 series 3-2 to the Stars.  Game 6 is set to go Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

A goalie controversy could be brewing for the Stars as Ben Bishop looked shaky, to put it nicely, and was pulled in the first period after allowing four goals on 19 shots.  Usually the number one goalie, Bishop was a surprise starter in Game 5 after missing the previous eight games due to injury, but Khudobin has played well in his absence.  Will the Stars gamble on Bishop again for Game 6 or has Khudobin passed him on the depth chart?

Avalanche vs. Stars Betting Analysis

The Avalanche are once again slight favourites for Game 6, listed at -125 on the NHL odds with the Stars at +105.  The total is six goals and the over is favoured at -120.

These are two high scoring teams.  The over is 8-0 in the Avalanche’s last eight games overall and 6-0 in the Stars’ last six, meaning the over has hit in all five games of this series.

Colorado Avalanche

It was exactly the start the Avalanche wanted on Monday.  The Avs dangerous offense scored five goals in the first period, including four goals in 2:36 seconds, which was one second away from being the four quickest goals in playoff history (Montreal did it to Toronto in 1944).  With their top two goalies hurt (Philipp Grubauer was injured in Game 1, it is unknown when Pavel Francouz was injured) Michael Hutchinson made 31 saves to earn a win in his first ever playoff start.

Secondary scoring will be key for the Avalanche in Game 6.  They are coming off a Game 5 win which saw 14 of the 18 Avs skaters (78 per cent) record a point in the first period.  With a point in his 14th consecutive game on Wednesday, Nathan MacKinnon would tie Mark Messier (1988) and Bobby Orr (1970) for second longest streak ever to start the playoffs.  He currently leads NHL playoff scoring with 23 points (8G, 15A).

Dallas Stars

The goalie gamble blew up in the first period for the Stars.  Bishop was a surprise starter after coach Rick Bowness deemed him unfit to play earlier in the day.  Khudobin retook the reins when Bishop was pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots.  Khudobin finished with 20 saves on 22 shots.  It can’t all be blamed on Bishop, the Stars were outshot 23-5 in the first period alone, but Khudobin is 7-4 in the playoffs with a 2.86 GAA and .911 SV compared to Bishop’s 1-2 record with a 5.43 GAA and .844 SV.  Short of an unexpected injury, the Stars would be crazy not to start Khudobin over Bishop for Game 6 on Wednesday.

The Stars are most likely not panicking yet.  Going into Game 5 they knew they had three chances to close out the series and likely thought the risk was worth potentially seeing their starting goalie return to form.  It didn’t work, but they are still in an enviable position.  They have two more chances to end the series, but will throw everything they have at the Avalanche to avoid a Game 7.  Joe Pavelski could be key.  The first year Stars player has 56 career playoff goals, including eight goals in 14 games this post season, which puts him second in playoff goals this year.

Who Will Win Avalanche vs. Stars?

SportsInteraction
NHL Predictions
  • COL
  • -116 -104
  • DAL
Matchup NHL Odds