Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports By Icon Sport
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars Game 1: Western Conference Playoffs – Second Round
The Dallas Stars are hosting the Colorado Avalanche in the opening game of the Western Conference second round.
The Avalanche are well-rested for the challenge
The Colorado Avalanche finished the regular season in fourth place in the Western Conference and proved that they are much better than that by eliminating the second-seeded Winnipeg Jets in five games. The Avalanche lost the opener in that series and then won the next four games by at least a three-goal differential. Nathan MacKinnon had an excellent series, recording nine points, and Valeri Nichushkin had seven goals against the Jets.
The Stars barely survived in the opening round
The Dallas Stars finished the regular season on top of the Western Conference, only one point shy of the New York Rangers for the best record in the league. However, they were pushed to the limit in the opening round against the defending champions, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars lost both home games to open the series but managed to come back and win 2-1 in the decisive one. Wyatt Johnston was the best Dallas’ player in that series with 7 points.
Betting Trends
The Avalacnhe have won 4 of the last 5 games against the Stars and 5 of the last 7 games played in Dallas. Colorado is 5-1 SU in the last 6 games and 15-4 SU in the last 19 games against teams from the Central Division. They have played over the total goal line in 10 of the last 12 games overall, in the last 6 games on the road and 12 of the last 14 games against teams from the Western Conference. The Stars are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games overall and 5-2 SU in the last 7 games against teams from the Central Division. They have played under the total goal line in 12 of the last 15 games against teams from the Western Conference.
Prediction and Conclusion
These two teams had a completely different road to the second playoff round of the Western Conference. The Avalanche dominated the Jets, while the Stars barely survived in the series against the Golden Knights. Those events have given the Avalanche five more days to rest and prepare for this series, while the Stars will play only two days after the decisive games against Vegas. Given the fact that Colorado has won four of the last five games against Dallas, we are going with the Avalanche to open the series with a win.
