The Dallas Stars (2-3-1) face the Colorado Avalanche (4-2-0) Wednesday in a home-and-home, back-to-back at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Stars vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Avs lead 1-0
The Stars fell in a 3-2 home loss against an Avalanche team without superstar D Cale Makar. They won in faceoffs 36-20, hits 26-18 and shots 26-25. They also scored on their lone power play. They just didn't hit the net frequently enough to beat an angry Avalanche team coming off a 6-3 loss Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. C Tyler Seguin scored for the second consecutive game. C Wyatt Johnston is out with an illness.
Avs superstar
C Nathan MacKinnon put the game in his own hands, literally, as he had 2 assists and got in a fight with Stars C Roope Hintz. C Martin Necas had 2 goals. Makar is likely to be a game-time decision as he missed Tuesday's game while his wife was in labor.
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Stars at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:36 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Avalanche -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars +1.5 (-220) | Avalanche -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Stars at Avalanche projected goalies
Casey DeSmith (0-1-0, 2.06 GAA, .923 SV%) vs. Scott Wedgewood (1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .897 SV%)
DeSmith stopped 24 of 26 shots in his lone start on the season. It was a 2-1 loss at the Nashville Predators. He faced the Avs once last season and was the tough-luck loser in a 2-0 defeat, stopping 20 of 21 fired his way.
Wedge's lone start was a 7-3 win over the Calgary Flames as he stopped 26 of 29 fired his way. He went 2-0-2 with a 1.30 GAA and .925 SV% against Dallas last season.
Stars at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Stars 2
Moneyline
MacKinnon's fight and the win against Dallas in their building with their hot goaltender will serve as a big shot in the arm. Makar potentially returning would only add fuel to that fire. Not only will Dallas have to travel after the gutpunch of a loss, it will also have to skate at altitude.
Go AVALANCHE (-135) here.
Puck line/Against the spread
You can take AVALANCHE -1.5 (+180) here. The games between these teams are usually close, but the context is important here. It's a back-to-back with travel at altitude. The Stars also have a backup goalie going, whereas Colorado's situation is more 1A and 1B.
Over/Under
The Under cashed Tuesday, and it has hit in 3 straight meetings. However, on a back-to-back, with backup tendies, I'm really surprised it's not 6.5. Go OVER 6 (-110).
Best prop bet
If Makar is good to go in this one, and the prop arrives in time, take CALE MAKAR ANYTIME GOAL. There is something to be said about skating on home ice after the birth of your first children, which happened to be twins.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and predictions
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