A game between two teams that have put themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars face off at the American Airlines Center in a Central Division showdown. The opening face-off is at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, and you’ll be able to witness it live on Fox Sports Southwest
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Odds
Colorado (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Dallas (-200), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under)
Earning 0.3 units for moneyline bettors, Dallas is 24-19 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 34-48 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 43 regular season outings, 25 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 16-6 SU at home this season
The Stars have converted on 20.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties
As a team, the Stars have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for 9.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings
With a .917 save percentage and 26.5 saves per game, Ben Bishop (19-15-2) has been the best option in goal for Dallas this year. If Dallas chooses to rest him, however, head coach Ken Hitchcock may turn to Kari Lehtonen (6-7-7 record, .907 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average)
Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg will each lead the offensive attack for the Stars. Seguin (40 points) has produced 21 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Klingberg has six goals and 33 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 25 contests
On the other side of the rink, Colorado is 22-19 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 41 regular season outings, 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Avalanche are 7-11 SU as the visiting team this season
The Avalanche have scored on 21.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties
Colorado’s players have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, 4.0 per game over their past five games total, and 4.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings
Semyon Varlamov (28.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov owns a 14-12-2 record, while registering a .912 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year
For the visiting Avalanche, the offense will run through Nathan MacKinnon, who’s got 34 assists and 18 goals this year
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Dallas is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts
- The over has hit in four of Dallas last five outings
- Over Colorado’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-1 in those games).
