Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars Game 3 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Stars are -145 favourites on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5 goals – we haven’t topped that total yet in the series.
Jets vs. Stars NHL Betting Odds
With Winnipeg winning Game 2 of this Western Conference semifinal series by a score of 4-0 on Friday to even things up at 1-1, the Stars are now -160 series favourites, which is what they were entering the opener but had risen to -375 ahead of Game 2. The Jets are now +135 after being priced +300 ahead of Friday. Dallas in six is the +280 favourite, and that’s where I still lean.
On the over-under series total games of 5.5, the over is -350 and I definitely like that even if pricy. That it ends in six is also the +150 favourite, followed by seven at +155. Told you I liked one game of the series to see a shutout with two excellent American goalies in Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck, so that has cashed thanks to Game 2. That it stays at one game is -275.
The Jets have scored six goals in the series and the Stars two, and that Winnipeg finishes with the most goals is -170 and Dallas +130. Obviously, a four-goal differential on Friday changed things. That there are at least four goals scored in each game is -115, and I like that. Jets to score at least two in every game is +180.
These teams split two regular-season meetings in Texas.
Winnipeg Jets
Connor Hellebuyck had not been great this postseason, but the 31-year-old showed why he will win the Vezina Trophy with his shutout in Game 2. It was Hellebuyck’s fourth career playoff shutout to tie Craig Anderson for seventh-most by a U.S.-born goaltender. Hellebuyck also became the sixth goaltender in league history to account for each of a franchise’s first four playoff shutouts.
Gabriel Vilardi (first goal of playoffs), Nikolaj Ehlers (first and second) and Adam Lowry (fourth) had the goals in the 4-0 victory. While Hellebuyck was the No. 1 star, Ehlers was the No. 2 with that goal and two assists. In doing so, he became the second Danish player in NHL history with three points in a playoff game along with Lars Eller in 2018 with Washington. Top blueliner Josh Morrissey returned after missing Game 1 injured and had an assist and plus-two rating. Winnipeg is 1-6 all-time in road Game 3s of a best-of-seven series.
Dallas Stars
Dallas was 28-10-3 at home during the regular season and 3-1 there in the first round vs. Colorado. We had a chance for NHL history Friday if Mikko Rantanen had a third straight hat trick as that had never been done before in the playoffs, but it obviously didn’t happen. While Dallas was outshot 25-21 in Game 2, it outhit the Jets 43-37 and largely dominated in the face-off circle at 57.1 per cent, and that’s why we think they win today. Highly unlikely they give the Jets five power-play chances again.
Top defenceman Miro Heiskanen has not played in the series due to a knee injury and was expected to at some point, but it won’t be today. Dallas is 14-21 all-time in home Game 3s in a best-of-seven series.
WIN
DAL