The Dallas Stars (12-5-3) and Colorado Avalanche (11-6-1) meet Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Stars vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Stars have the unenviable task of playing the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas Friday, then facing the quick turnaround on the road against the Avalanche. Dallas suffered the 5-4 loss in overtime Friday. These teams just met in Dallas, and the Stars fell 3-2 in a shootout Nov. 21.
The Avalanche were expected to face the Nashville Predators Friday, but their game was canceled due to a broken water main in downtown Nashville, which caused flooding inside of Bridgestone Arena.
Colorado last played Wednesday at home against Vancouver, suffering a 4-3 loss on home ice as the Over hit. The Under is still 5-1 in the past 6 games overall for the Avalanche, including the 3-2 SO win over the Stars in Dallas.
Stars at Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Avalanche -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars +1.5 (-190) | Avalanche -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Stars at Avalanche projected goalies
Scott Wedgewood (4-3-1, 3.23 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (9-2-1, 2.40 GAA, .929 SV%, 1 SO)
Wedgewood makes his first appearance since Nov. 17, a 6-4 victory at Florida. He allowed 2 goals on 23 shots in that outing, coming out midway through the second period after being carted off due to an undisclosed upper-body injury.
Georgiev’s last appearance was in the 3-2 SO win on Monday in Dallas when he stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced. He has been on fire in November, going 5-1-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .940 SV% with a shutout in Washington last Saturday.
Stars at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Stars 3
The AVALANCHE (-155) is a strong play at home against the Stars (+135), who face the tough turnaround with the back-to-back against Winnipeg at home and then in Denver.
Colorado was expected to be in the same boat, and it did travel Friday from Nashville, but it is more rested after its game was canceled. In fact, the Avs haven’t played since Wednesday, so it enters much more rested than the Stars, who played less than 24 hours ago.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+145) is worth a roll of the dice on the money line against the road-weary Stars +1.5 (-190).
Colorado took care of Dallas in the Metroplex last week, and it should be able to do the same on home ice, especially since it is more rested, and the Stars are forced to play the backup Wedgewood, who could be a little rusty after some time off due to injury.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5(+100) is worth a look, especially at even money.
Colorado’s offense has found itself in November after a mini slump at the end of October. In fact, since Oct. 29, the Avalanche is averaging 3.9 goals per game (GPG) in the past 10 outings, which is a tick better than its season average of 3.4 GPG, which ranks 9th in the NHL.
Dallas is now on a 10-1-2 Over run in the past 13 games after going Over the total again against Winnipeg on Friday in a 5-4 OT loss.
This is just the second back-to-back for the Stars this season, and they did hit the Under in the first instance Oct. 25 in Boston, but that was also with starter Jake Oettinger in between the pipes, not the backup Wedgewood.
Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.