The Dallas Stars struggled mightily down the stretch, dropping seven consecutive games while being outscored by 16 in aggregate.
My Avalanche vs. Stars predictions expect the losing streak to reach eight in the opening game of what should be a compelling first-round series.
Let’s dive deeper into my NHL picks for Saturday, April 19.
Who will win Avalanche vs Stars Game 1?
The Colorado Avalanche enter the series opener as road favorites and understandably so. The Dallas Stars limped to the finish line, losing the final seven games of the regular season and allowing 34 goals along the way.
They're in very poor defensive form and dealing with injuries to key players like Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson, which is far from ideal when facing a team with as much talent and playoff pedigree as the Avs.
Avalanche vs Stars prediction
My Avalanche pick: Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots (-120 at BET99)
Nathan MacKinnon feasts on the Stars like no other. The superstar center has dominated his Central Division rivals for years, producing points at a high rate while littering the net with shots on goal.
He's picked up at least a point in seven straight against the Stars, and his shot outputs are even more impressive.
He's recorded 4+ shots in 11 of the past 12 head-to-head meetings while averaging 6.09 shots on target over the last 22 matchups. Let me repeat: 6.09 shots on target per game spanning the last 22. Not attempts, shots on net. His shot generation against Dallas is unlike anything we’ve seen.
There’s every reason to believe the volume will be there again in Game 1. The Stars have defended horrendously for months, bleeding shots at an unmatched rate.
They’ve conceded 32.17 shots on goal per game since the 4 Nations Face-Off concluded in late February. That's more than any other team in the NHL.
A significant portion of the volume has come from opposing centers, especially recently. The Stars tied the Sabres for last place in limiting shots against centers over the final 10 games of the season.
Dallas has struggled mightily to slow MacKinnon down at the best of times. In their current form, it feels like an impossible task.
Avalanche vs Stars same-game parlay (SGP)
Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots
Cale Makar Over 0.5 assists
Avalanche moneyline
Nate MacKinnon isn’t the only Avalanche superstar who dominates the Stars seemingly every time they cross paths.
Makar possesses the puck a ton at 5-on-5 as well as on the power play. He helps the Avs tilt the ice almost every time in the boards and often shares the ice with Colorado’s best forwards, helping get the most out of his offensive skillset.
He logs a ton of ice on a nightly basis and, in what should be a hotly contested playoff series, he might well never get off.
Lastly, we’re backing the Avalanche to take care of business on the road. Their underlying metrics were significantly better than those of the Stars over the final stretch of the season, and they enter this series as the healthier team.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Avalanche vs Stars odds
Avalanche vs Stars live odds
Avalanche vs Stars opening odds
- Puck line: Colorado -1.5 (+223) | Dallas +1.5 (-169)
- Moneyline: Colorado -112 | Dallas +100
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Odds courtesy of BET99.
Avalanche vs Stars trend
Cale Makar has recorded an assist in six of his last seven games against the Stars. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Stars.
How to watch Avalanche vs Stars
| Location | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX |
| Date | Saturday, 4-19-2025 |
| Puck drop | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Avalanche vs Stars latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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