The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars will meet tonight for Game 1 of their series in the NHL playoffs. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Avalanche are favored at -140 on the moneyline, with the Stars are +116 to pull off the upset. The over/under set at 5.5 (-127o / +100u).
Let's get into our Avalanche vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks.
Avalanche vs. Stars Prediction
- Pick: Avalanche Moneyline
Our Colorado vs. Dallas best bet is on the Avalanche to win on the moneyline, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your NHL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NHL odds page.
Avalanche vs Stars Odds
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +195 | 5.5 -115o / -105u | -140 |
| Stars Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -240 | 5.5 -115o / -105u | +120 |
- Avalanche vs. Stars puck line: Avalanche -1.5 (+190), Stars +1.5 (-235)
- Avalanche vs. Stars over/under: 5.5 (-127o / +100u)
- Avalanche vs. Stars moneyline: Avalanche -140, Stars +116
- Avalanche vs. Stars best bet: Avalanche Moneyline
Avalanche vs. Stars Preview
While the Colorado Avalanche have been one of the best teams in the league since the trade deadline, the Dallas Stars’ play has fallen off quite severely, and the causations towards their differing results seem quite clear.
With Miro Heiskanen sidelined, the Stars defensive core looks pretty shaky on paper, as Matt Dumba and Cody Ceci have both been significantly worse than average defenders for several seasons in a row.
Since the 4 Nations Face-Off no team has allowed more shots against than the Stars, and they also hold the worst expected goals against per 60 rating in that span. Dallas is just 3-5-2 in its last 10 games and has allowed 3.70 goals against per game in that span, and the underlying results tell us that is no fluke.
The Avs, meanwhile, seem to be trending into top form at the right time, which is not surprising considering their depth is now significantly better than it was earlier in the season thanks to improved health and the additions of Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and Jack Drury.
Since the trade deadline, Colorado is 12-5-2 and has scored 3.42 goals per game while allowing only 2.42 goals against per game.
Dallas will benefit from home-ice advantage in this series, but statistically speaking home ice is overvalued, and I’m happy to get a better price on the Avs because of it. Road teams went 46-41 in the 2023-24 postseason, and in the second-round matchup between these two teams in particular, went 5-1.
At +130, I see value backing the Avs to win this series in six games or less. There also appears to be value backing Colorado to win Game 1, in which the Stars will be without Heiskanen.
Best Bets: Avalanche series spread -1.5 | Game 1 moneyline
