Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 6 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
After a dominating performance by Colorado in Game 4, Dallas flipped the script in Game 5 and controlled all 60 minutes in a 6-2 win. This series looked destined to go seven games before the playoffs began, but the Avs will need a much better effort on Thursday.
Colorado opened as a -180 favourite to win Game 6 on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.0.
Stars vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
There has to be a little flashback of fear in the Avalanche as they were eliminated by Dallas in six games in the second round of last year’s playoffs, with Game 6 also played in Denver.
These teams have historically matched up for very close playoff meetings, with Colorado holding a slight 22-21 edge in overall wins, while the Stars hold a 3-2 edge in series wins.
The series line continues to flip-flop on the NHL futures board, with Dallas entering Game 6 as a -210 favourite and the Avalanche sitting as a +170 underdog.
Interestingly, if you think things will go the distance, the Stars actually have longer odds to win the series on home ice in seven games at +220 than Colorado on the road in seven at +170.
If you’re searching for player props, I like the value of Valeri Nichushkin to score 2+ goals in any game of the series. Although Nichushkin only has one goal in the series, I think he is due to breakout. He’s still the player who had nine goals in eight playoff games last year and he has 20 goals in 35 playoff games since Colorado’s Cup run in 2022.
Dallas Stars
Wyatt Johnston lit the lamp just nine second into Game 5 for the fastest goal in franchise playoff history. Johnston finished the game with two goals and an assist. Former Avs winger Mikko Rantanen also broke out with a three-point night, including his first goal of the playoffs. Rantanen, who is one of the top performers in NHL playoff history with 105 points (35G, 70A) 86 games, hadn’t produced through the first four games of the series and he’ll be key if Dallas wants to go on a long playoff run.
The best player for the Stars, by far, in this series has been goaltender Jake Oettinger, who turned aside 26 of 28 shots faced in Game 5. Oettinger’s .914 save percentage ranks third among goalies who have played at least 30 minutes this postseason and he’s come in clutch with several key stops at big moments to keep Dallas in games, particularly when it comes to their two overtime victories.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon recorded a game-high seven shots and finished with a goal and an assist in Game 5, but Colorado never really looked dangerous. Artturi Lehkonen scored the Avalanche’s other goal, while Martin Necas was a little more noticeable with two assists. The big difference right now is Colorado can win when they dictate the pace, but Dallas has managed to smother the Avs and slow them down in their three wins. Going back home for Game 6 with last change should make a difference, but even if Colorado wins, they still need to figure out the Stars in Texas.
There’s clearly some gamesmanship going on between Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar and his Dallas counterpart Pete DeBoer. After DeBoer pulled Oettinger between the second and third periods of Game 4, despite Oettinger playing well, Bednar did the same with Mackenzie Blackwood in game 5. Blackwood didn’t have great numbers in Game 5, but two of five goals he let in were extremely flukey, so his stat line from the game is a bit deceiving.
DAL
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