The Seattle Kraken meet the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinals playoff series Thursday. Puck drop at American Airlines Arena is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kraken vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 2-2

This has been a back-and-forth series with each team winning every other game. Seattle was overwhelmed in Game 4 by a 6-3 score to even the series. The 2nd period has been the determining factor. Over the last 3 games, the winning team tallied at least 3 goals in the 2nd period to take charge. Seattle welcomed LW Jared McCann back for the first time this series, and he had 3 shots on goal (SOG) Tuesday.

Dallas got out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd period, and Seattle lost a challenge on the 3rd goal. That gave Dallas a power play, which C Joe Pavelski connected on to make it 4-0 midway through the game. C Max Domi had 2 goals and an assist. The Stars were 2-for-3 on the power play, and they held Seattle to just 19 shots on goal. G Jake Oettinger improved to 21-1-3 this year following a loss.

Kraken at Stars odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:31 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Kraken +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Stars -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
• Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kraken +1.5 (-160) | Stars -1.5 (+135)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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 was pulled for the 1st time in Game 4, allowing 5 goals on 22 shots. He looked strong early in the game, stopping 10 of 11 in the 1st period, but LW Jamie Benn broke through on the power play in the last 3 minutes. Grubauer has a 2.97 GAA and .909 SV% in the playoffs.

Oettinger wasn’t great in Game 4, but he was just good enough. He stopped 16 of the 19 shots fired his way. He has allowed at least 2 goals in each game this series and 3 or more in 3 of the 4. Otter has a 2.71 GAA and .903 SV% these playoffs.

Kraken at Stars picks and predictions

Prediction

Kraken 4, Stars 3

Moneyline

This isn’t a series to take a -190 ML on either team and is more of a toss-up. The road team has won every other game in the series, and they’re 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.  McCann’s return should have a bigger impact in Game 5.

LEAN KRAKEN +155.

Puck line/Against the spread

The last 3 games have been decided by multiple goals, but these teams have needed overtime 3 times this year. I’d rather taken Seattle and the plus-money than the goal of insurance at -160 here.

However, let’s look at the 2nd period trend. In the last 3 games, we’ve had 15 goals between the sides in the 2nd. I’ll take OVER 2 SECOND PERIOD GOALS (+105) with a decent chance at a push with plus-money upside.

Over/Under

These teams have gone Over 7 games in a row, and the books have finally countered. It was fun while it lasted. Each game has had at least 6 goals and would be 3-0-1 against that number. But I’m not feeling the total here. Pavelski had at least 3 SOG in 3 of the 4 games this series and did so in both home games.

Take JOE PAVELSKI OVER 2.5 SHOTS (+120) for a nice payout.

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