The Seattle Kraken meet the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals playoff series Tuesday. Puck drop at American Airlines Arena is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kraken vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Dallas won 2-0-1

The Kraken became the 1st expansion team to beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions in their inaugural playoff series as they bounced the Colorado Avalanche in 7 games. G Philipp Grubauer was sensational in goal, allowing the high-powered Avs just 8 goals in the final 4 games.

Seattle lost its leading scorer, LW Jared McCann, in Game 4 of the 1st round, and his status is unknown for Game 1 and this entire series.

Dallas took care of the Minnesota Wild in 6 games and had the weekend to rest. Winger Roope Hintz led the way with 5 goals and 7 assists vs. the Wild. C Joe Pavelski missed the final 5 games of the series due to a concussion but appears set to return. He has been skating on the 2nd line with C Tyler Seguin remaining on the top line.

Kraken at Stars odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 2:32 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Kraken +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Stars -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
• Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kraken +1.5 (-185) | Stars -1.5 (+150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +115 | U: -135)

Kraken at Stars projected goalies

Philipp Grubauer (17-14-4, 2.85 GAA, .895 SV%, 0 SO – regular season) vs. Jake Oettinger (37-11-11, 2.37 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO – regular season)

Grubauer played some of the best hockey of his career in the 1st round against the Avs with a 2.44 GAA and .926 SV%. He faced Dallas once this season and took the overtime loss at home, allowing 4 goals on 25 shots March 11.

Oettinger was a little shaky early on against Minnesota but really tightened it up, allowing 3 goals in the final 3 games combined. He had a 2.01 GAA and .929 SV% in the series. He was 2-0-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .884 SV% against the Kraken this season.

Kraken at Stars picks and predictions

Prediction

Stars 3, Kraken 1

Moneyline

This series could lengthen if McCann is able to return, but for now, Dallas has the sizeable advantage in depth. Grubauer stood on his head the entire Colorado series, but Oettinger gives Dallas the advantage between the pipes. This one should be a grindy, low-scoring affair.

We’ll PASS on the Stars’ -175 ML because the Kraken deserves credit for what they did vs. the Avalanche.

Head to the Win/Total section, and TAKE STARS TO WIN AND UNDER 6.5 TOTAL GOALS120).

Puck line/Against the spread

Two of the 3 games between these teams this season were decided by 1 goal — both overtime results. Four of Seattle’s 7 games vs. Colorado were within a goal. Two of Dallas’ 6 games were within a goal.

Dallas is rested. Seattle could be without its top scorer. I like the return on the puck line enough to give it a shot TAKE STARS -1.5150).

Over/Under

All 3 games between the teams had at least 7 goals scored this season. Dallas was 2-3-1 O/U against Minnesota, and the Over was 1-6 in Seattle’s series against Colorado. I look for an Under game here as each team feels the other out, and we have 2 red-hot goalies.

LEAN UNDER 5.5135) or PASS.

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