In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, March 18th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 44-13-9 this season after they lost to the Penguins by a score of 7-2 in their last game. Colorado cut the deficit to 4-2 late in the first period, but they allowed the last three goals in the lopsided loss. The Avalanche out shot Pittsburgh by a total of 27-20, won 50.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from MacKinnon and Burns, while Blackwood stopped 11 out of 15 shots and Wedgewood stopped two out of five.
Prior to that game, Colorado lost to the Jets by a score of 3-1, but did beat the Kraken by a score of 5-1 before that. The Avalanche have lost three of their last four games and they are currently first in the Central standings with 97 points. Colorado has scored 3.73 goals per game and they have allowed 2.50 goals against per game, while also going 15.8% on the power play and 82.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 45 goals and 65 assists, while Martin Necas has added 31 goals and 50 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Mackenzie Blackwood, who is 18-8-1 with a 2.48 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this season.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars are 42-15-10 this year after they lost to the Mammoth by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Dallas was tied at two after the second period, but they allowed the first four goals in the third for the loss. The Stars out shot Utah by a total of 30-22, won 49.0% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Erne, Johnston, and Steel, while DeSmith stopped 16 out of 21 shots, which was a .762 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Dallas defeated the Red Wings by a score of 3-2 and the Oilers by a score of 7-2. The Stars have won four of their last five games and they are currently second in the Central standings with 94 points. Dallas has scored 3.45 goals per game and they have allowed 2.69 goals against per game, while also going 29.6% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill this season. Jason Robertson has led Dallas with 36 goals and 44 assists, while Wyatt Johnston has added 37 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who is 28-10-5 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .900 save percentage this year.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won each of their last four games following a home loss.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 road games following a home loss.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last four games following a home loss.
- The Avalanche have won the second period in each of their last six games against the Stars when tied after the first period.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won eight of their last 10 games as road underdogs.
- The Avalanche have lost eight of their last nine night games at Ball Arena.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine night games at Ball Arena.
- The Stars have won the third period in each of their last four road games following a home loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last five games between the Stars and Avalanche have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Stars’ last four road games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the last six games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last six night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last eight games following a home loss.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored a goal in each of the Avalanche’s last six games against the Stars.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven appearances against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Wyatt Johnston has scored at least one goal in four of the Stars’ last five games against the Avalanche.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against former teams.
Avalanche vs Stars Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup as the top two teams in the Central Division, with Colorado leading by three points. The Avalanche are 23-6-4 at home this year, while the Stars are 20-7-6 on the road. Dallas has won four of their last five and they have allowed two goals or fewer in three of their last four. Colorado has dropped three of their last four and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in three of their last five. Both teams have very high scoring offenses, but both defenses/goalies are elite and I think goals could be at a premium. Take the under here.