Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 2 Prediction, NHL Odds
The Dallas Stars look to suffering consecutive losses for the first time in this year’s NHL playoffs when they hit the ice at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday afternoon for Game 2 of their NHL Western Conference Final matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars let an early lead slip away and needed a late goal to force overtime before dropping a 4-3 decision to the Golden Knights in Game 1. The Golden Knights enjoy a 5-1 run on home ice going into Sunday’s action.
The Golden Knights have emerged as slim -127 home favourites on the Sunday NHL odds, while Dallas lags as a +105 underdogs, and the total is once again pegged at 5.5. Vegas has also rocketed to -213 chalk on the NHL playoff series prices and is a short +357 bet to dispose of the Stars in just five games. Dallas lags as a +187 longshot to rebound and knock off the Golden Knights in the conference final for the second time in four years.
Stars vs. Golden Knights NHL Playoff Betting Odds
In addition to earning their first win over Dallas in five games with Friday’s victory, the Golden Knights’ four-goal outburst contributed to the first win for OVER bettors in five dates between these teams. Overall, the OVER has paid out in two of their past four clashes in Vegas, but the UNDER maintains a clear 12-4-2 edge in their past 18 clashes. Historically, battles between these teams have also been hard fought, with 12 of the past 14 getting settled by just a single goal. However, the Golden Knights still face a huge challenge after recording consecutive victories over Dallas just once in 12 overall matchups.
Dallas Stars
The Stars enjoyed a steady performance early on in Game 1 from Jake Oettinger, who stopped the first 19 shots he faced including a 17-save performance in the opening frame. However, Oettinger failed to hold the fort as the contest progressed, giving up three goals over the final nine shots he faced in the third period and overtime. That marked a fourth straight shaky road outing for the 24-year-old netminder, who was lit up for 12 goals on just 54 total shots over his pervious three road appearances.
On a positive note, Roope Hintz continued his climb into the ranks of the NHL’s elite playoff performers with a goal and two assists. Hints has now scored five times and added four helpers over his past four games to claim the league-lead with 22 points so far in this spring’s postseason. Jason Robertson also showed signs of life with the first goal in nine games, and has also recorded at least one assist in four of five contests.
Vegas Golden Knights
In the absence of offensive production from the club’s biggest stars, William Karlsson emerged as the hero in Game 1, scoring a pair of goals and has now found the back of the net three times in the past two games. The Golden Knights also received other contributions from their supporting cast. Brett Howden scored the game winner just 95 seconds into overtime, putting the brakes on a five-game points drought while Zach Whitecloud added a pair of helpers. Reilly Smith was held off the scoresheet after scoring in each of his past two outings. However, with 13 total shots on goal over the past three games, Smith is trending in the right direction.
Adin Hill has continued to turn heads in the Golden Knights crease. The journeyman netminder gave the Golden Knights a chance to win while stopping 33 of 36 shots in Game 1, and has amassed an impressive .930 save percentage so far in the postseason, and has gone 4-1 in five starts since taking over duties from the injured Laurent Brossoit.
Game 2 Prediction: Who Will Win Stars vs. Golden Knights?
Slow starts are emerging as a worry for Vegas, but not as big a concern as Jake Oettinger’s shaky play on the road has been for the Stars. With a long history of low-scoring clashes between these clubs, more of the same should be expected on Sunday afternoon. And with the Stars’ big guns starting to stir on offence, Dallas continues to offer value in their bid to extend their current run without consecutive losses to 28 games.
DAL
VEG