The Dallas Stars meet the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of their Western Conference finals playoff series Friday. Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stars vs. Kraken odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Stars eliminated the Seattle Kraken in 7 games to advance in the Western Conference and face Vegas in a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference finals. Dallas coach Pete DeBoer was behind the bench for Vegas in that series. C Roope Hintz leads the team with 9 goals and 19 points this postseason while C Joe Pavelski has 8 goals in as many games.
The Golden Knights conquered the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games to advance. They’re led by C Jack Eichel (6 goals, 8 assists), who is coming of age in his first playoffs. Vegas is a deep team with 4 lines that can beat you.
Stars at Golden Knights odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Golden Knights -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars +1.5 (-250) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Stars at Golden Knights projected goalies
Jake Oettinger (37-11-11, 2.37 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO – regular season) vs Adin Hill (16-7-1, 2.50 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO – regular season)
Oettinger has been hit-or-miss this postseason, but he’s by far the best goaltender left in these playoffs. His slides don’t last long as he’s 22-1-3 this season following a loss. He went 3-0-0 with a 0.96 GAA and .967 SV% against Vegas this season.
Hill came on in Game 3 against Edmonton after Laurent Brossoit went down to injury and stabilized the troops. He was 3-1 with a 2.19 GAA and .934 SV% in the series. He did not face Dallas in the regular season.
Stars at Golden Knights picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Stars 1
Moneyline
Dallas won all 3 games this season and has won 7 of 10 against Vegas. They’ve been close games, though, as 3 of the last 4 went to the shootout. However, Vegas has only lost 3 games this postseason and Dallas dropped Game 1 in their building in both series thus far. I think Dallas gets one in Vegas, but I’ll side with the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-125) in Game 1.
Puck line/Against the spread
Six of Vegas’ 8 wins this postseason have been by multiple goals. Three of Dallas’ 5 losses in these playoffs have been by at least 3 goals. So you’re really rolling the dice each night to see what Dallas team shows up. I think Vegas starts fast and doesn’t look back.
Take GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+200) to win 2 times your initial wager.
Over/Under
The last 4 games between the teams had 5 goals or fewer. The Under is 7-1-3 in the Stars’ last 11 conference finals games. The Under is 6-0-1 in Vegas’ last 7 conference finals games. The Under is 12-3-2 in the last 17 meetings and 4-1-1 in the last 6 in Vegas.
LEAN UNDER 5.5 (-115).
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