Stars vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds, Picks: Central Division heavyweight battle
The second half of a home-and-home, back-to-back goes down in Colorado on Wednesday night, as the Dallas Stars attempt to bounce back against the Avalanche.
A tight game on Tuesday went 3-2 to the Avalanche as the four game season series got underway. Colorado’s Martin Necas’ pair of goals in the second period pushed the Avs to victory. Colorado is now two points out of first place in the Central Division, while Dallas is now 2-3-1 on the year.
The NHL odds have the Avalanche as -150 favourites at home, with the OVER/UNDER set at an even 6.0 goals. The puck drops at 8:30 pm EST at Ball Arena.
Stars vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
These teams met four times last season, three of which were decided in a shootout, going to show how tight this matchup is. Their past three meetings have all played the UNDER and the road team has won each of their past five meetings.
Through six games, Dallas has been insanely good defensively, allowing just 10 goals against, a league best at 1.67 goals against per game. The offence has been slow, scoring just 2.17 per game which is third lowest in the league. This combo led them to play UNDER in all six games so far.
Colorado has been scoring at a good pace this season, tied for most in the league at 4.83 goals per game. They have hit the OVER in four of six thus far, while also covering the spread in all four of their victories.
The NHL futures board has Avs star Nathan MacKinnon as the favourite for the Rocket Richard Trophy (+475) and the second favourite for the Hart Trophy (+360). He is currently fifth in the league in scoring with 12 points and five goals.
Dallas Stars
The Stars have now lost back-to-back games for the second time this season, moving them to a 2-3-1 record. In both of those losses they never had the lead and were held to a combined three goals.
In Tuesday night’s game against the Avalanche, Tyler Seguin’s power play goal tied the game in the first period, before the Avs ripped off two more goals in the second period. Roope Hintz scored his second of the season in the third period, making the game 3-2. Pulling the goalie at the end of the game did not result in anything, ending the game at 3-2.
Jake Oettinger gave up three goals for the first time this season, after allowing just three goals in his previous four starts. His 1.20 goals against average and .944 save percentage are atop the league leaders. If he can keep it up, he could be a dark horse candidate for his first Vezina Trophy, currently paying at +900.
Colorado Avalanche
After losing two of their past three games, the Avalanche looked much better in Tuesday night’s divisional rival game. They struck first and never looked back, getting a goal from Artturi Lehkonen and a pair from Martin Necas.
Stud defenceman Cale Makar missed the game Tuesday due to a personal matter and his status for the second half of the back-to-back is still uncertain. Makar leads the team in time on ice, while also leading their d-core with seven points (3G, 4A).
The Avalanche won the Presidents’ Trophy last season after getting off to a ridiculously good start, but have not had the same fortune out of the gate this season. Currently sitting fourth place in the Central Division, a win on Wednesday would bring them into a tie for the top spot.
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