If the Dallas Stars’ theme for this season is redemption, then it’s coming up early on the Stanley Cup playoff radar.
They kick off their Round 1 series against the Vegas Golden Knights on April 22 — the same team that bounced them in the West Finals a year ago. The tides have turned some, and Dallas, who led the West with 113 points, enter tonight's Game 1 clash as the favorite.
Does Vegas — a team that snagged the final Wild Card berth in the conference — have any juice to make a run? Read my Golden Knights vs. Stars predictions below to see where my NHL picks lie.
Golden Knights vs Stars prediction
My best bet
Stars moneyline (-135 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
The Dallas Stars ripped through the final quarter of the regular season to claim the West’s top seed, going 17-4 over the final 21 games to tie Winnipeg and Florida with the most wins at 52 on the season.
The Stars bring a powerful offense to the rink, averaging a meaty 3.59 goals-per-game, but there’s no player or line that carries this team. A diversified portfolio gives Dallas a balanced offensive attack that makes it hard to match up against.
The Stars have 11 players who have scored at least 11 goals on the season, led by 32 from Wyatt Johnson, and 10 players who have posted at least 40 points — topped by 80 from Jason Robertson. They also bring a defense ranked eighth in the league in goals against at 2.83.
The Vegas Golden Knights lived outside the fringes of the Top 10 in both offense and defense, scoring at 3.21 goals per game (13th) while allowing 2.96 goals (T-11th).
The Golden Knights, as it’s been well documented, were at one point the top team in the NHL before the struggles caught up to them. They ended up finishing 14th overall, ending the year skirting along .500, at 29-25 straight up.
And that’s what clouds this matchup somewhat: Vegas swept the three-game regular-season series, but all before the final two-thirds of its season swoon. However, the Knights struggled on the road, going just 18-17-6, tied for the fewest road wins of any team in the playoffs.
Dallas boasts an impressive 26-11-4 home record and is 9-1 in its last 10 at American Airlines Center. Expect it to get in front of Vegas in its quest to exorcise last year’s demons.
Golden Knights vs Stars same-game parlay (SGP)
Stars moneyline
Jason Robertson Over 0.5 points
Jack Eichel anytime goalscorer
While Dallas’ offense comes from all angles, placing Jason Robertson into a same-game parlay feels like the safest choice. Robertson came nowhere near his career-best season a year ago but still led the team in scoring with 80 points.
He’s a proven playoff performer: In Dallas’ run to the conference finals a year ago, he picked up seven goals and 18 points in 19 games, including Game 1 goals against both the Wild and Golden Knights.
On the Vegas side, Jack Eichel enters on a great scoring run to end the regular season. He capped it with a goal against Anaheim, giving him points in 13 of his final 16 games, which includes 10 goals.
He had a goal and a couple of assists in three games against the Stars this year and should find his way onto the scoresheet in Game 1.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Golden Knights vs Stars odds
Golden Knights vs Stars live odds
Golden Knights vs Stars opening odds
- Puck line: Vegas +1.5 (-239) | Dallas -1.5 (+205)
- Moneyline: Vegas +112 | Dallas -126
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-108) | Under 5.5 (-106)
Golden Knights vs Stars moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- Despite the Golden Knights going 7-3 SU in the last 10 games against Dallas, the Stars stand as the ML favorites.
- The total opened up at 5.5 and has remained there.
- The Over has cashed in three of the last five head-to-heads.
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Golden Knights vs Stars trend
The Stars have won 13 straight night games vs Pacific Division opponents. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Stars.
Golden Knights vs Stars game info
| Location: | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX |
| Date: | Monday, 4-22-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Golden Knights vs Stars latest injuries
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