Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars Game 3 Prediction, NHL Odds
The first two Calgary–Dallas bouts featured some physical Alberta hockey, and Saturday that’ll become Texas hockey for Game 3. It’s all even after two games between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, with Dallas giving Calgary a taste of their own medicine in Game 2. The Stars took Thursday’s matchup 2-0, tying the series after two games.
Each team has shut out each other in their wins — just what everyone expected in a series that features four 40-goal scorers. Puck drop for Game 3 at American Airlines Center goes at 9:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, with the road Flames -160 on the moneyline and the total remaining at 5.5 on the NHL odds.
Flames vs. Stars NHL Betting Odds
Back-to-back shutouts in the first two games shouldn’t scare over bettors off — Calgary finished sixth in the NHL with 3.55 goals per outing this season and Dallas nearly allowed three against themselves. It’s been a chippy series thus far, so the tight checking could contribute to the two low-scoring contests to kick this series off, but it’s safe to assume the offence will come in Texas.
Calgary’s now scored five goals total in their last five games but have 121 shots on net in that period. All of the Flames’ four 35-goal scorers this season had over a 15 shooting percentage too, so it’s safe to say this is a mini scoring slump for Calgary.
Calgary Flames
It was a quiet night overall for Calgary’s top four scorers, who in total registered seven shots on net in Game 2. Matthew Tkachuk, tied for the team lead in goals this season with 42, made his presence felt early after a scrum with John Klingberg 43 seconds into the game but the offence wasn’t there for Tkachuk who has two shots and an assist this series.
Elias Lindholm, Calgary’s other 42-goal scorer, has the Flames’ lone postseason goal scored in Game 1. Johnny Gaudreau, the last of Calgary’s 40-goal scorers, has the assist on the goal only with Tkachuk – but bank on more production from the trio that makes up Calgary’s first line.
Dallas Stars
Joe Pavelski’s first of the playoffs 7:47 into Game 2 served as the game’s winning tally, and the only shot that’s beat Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom this series. Michael Raffl added an empty-netter to give Dallas the 2-0 win. But of course, the story of Thursday was Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger posting a 29-save shutout in his second career Stanley Cup Playoffs start.
Jason Robertson also notched his first career playoff point with an assist on Pavelski’s goal. Robertson led Dallas with 41 goals this season, while Pavelski’s 81 points were a team high.
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