The Vegas Golden Knights meet the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of their Western Conference Final playoff series Tuesday. Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Golden Knights vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
VGK found a way to solve the Stars in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Trailing 2-1, RW Jonathan Marchessault crashed the net and received a nice feed from C Ivan Barbashev to tie the game with under 3 minutes to go. C Chandler Stephenson was able to hit the game-winner 1:12 into overtime.
The Stars were stunned as they had the lead most of the game and held the Golden Knights to just 10 shots the 1st 2 periods. It was the 1st time these playoffs they lost consecutive games as G Jake Oettinger fell to 22-2-3 after a loss this year.
Golden Knights at Stars odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 10:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Stars -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-225) | Stars -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Golden Knights at Stars projected goalies
Adin Hill (16-7-1, 2.50 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO – regular season) vs. Jake Oettinger (37-11-11, 2.37 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO – regular season)
Hill was good again in Game 2 and has stopped 59 of 64 shots fired his way this series for a .922 SV%. He’s a bend-but-don’t-break goalie with at least 2 goals allowed in each of his 5 starts. He is 4-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .930 SV% in 5 starts and 7 games overall in the playoffs.
Oettinger stopped 21 of 24 shots in Game 2 and has now allowed 7 goals on 54 shots in the series for a .870 SV%. He has held the opposition to 2 goals or fewer in the last 3 home games these playoffs.
Golden Knights at Stars picks and predictions
Prediction
Stars 4, Golden Knights 2
Moneyline
After dropping the 1st 2 games in OT, I look for Dallas to empty the tank in front of the home crowd. These teams have been in a lot of close games recently as 3 of the last 4 regular-season games went to a shootout, and Games 1 and 2 needed OT.
Take the STARS -145.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Stars are 5-1 in their last 6 home games. Neither team has landed a puck-line victory yet this series, and we’re forecasting Dallas to cash. However, I can’t get over the fact that so many games have needed overtime between the sides.
PASS or LEAN STARS -1.5 (+180).
Over/Under
Game 1 went Over, and Game 2 went Under. The Under is 7-1-1 in VGK’s last 9 conference finals games. The Under is 7-1-2 in the Stars’ last 10 conference finals games. With a Stars win forecasted and Oettinger’s lackluster stats thus far, we’re going to buck some trends here and LEAN OVER 5.5 (-110).
We’re getting in a little late, though, as the Over was +105 earlier Tuesday morning.
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