The Dallas Stars are slowly losing their spot in the playoffs since they just can’t find ways to win. Jake Oettinger will have to be at his best in goal for them tonight when they face the red-hot Calgary Flames.
Dallas is struggling to score goals right now and the only way it will get in the playoffs is if Oettinger stands on his head. Scoring against Jacob Markstrom will be no easy task as he has been playing excellent and is hoping to stay consistent leading into the playoffs.
Find out which goaltender we think will have the edge in our NHL betting picks and predictions for Stars vs. Flames on Thursday, April 21.
Stars vs Flames odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Flames opened up as -225 home favorites with the line moving slightly to -220. The total opened up at 6.0 and hasn’t had any movement.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Stars vs Flames predictions
Predictions made on 4/21/2022 at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Stars vs Flames game info
• Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
• Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022
• Puck drop: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet West, KTXA
Stars vs Flames betting preview
Key injuries
Stars: Braden Holtby G (Out), Vladislav Namestnikov F (Out).
Flames: Noah Hanifin D (Questionable), Sean Monahan F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Stars vs Flames head-to-head record
Stars: 1-1-0 SU 7 goals for.
Flames: 1-0-1 SU 7 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 3-1-1 in the Stars five games playing on zero days rest. Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Flames.
Stars vs Flames picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Dallas Stars are only two points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they have lost their last two games, both of which were on the road. Dallas is playing the second half of a back-to-back, but Scott Wedgewood was in net for it last night.
The Calgary Flames have been a top team in the league all season, losing their most recent game in a shootout against the Nashville Predators, but they have been incredible on home ice with a 23-9-7 record at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Flames have been one of the best offensive teams this season, ranking sixth, averaging 3.55 goals per game and they also have four players on the team with more than 30 goals. Johnny Gaudreau is leading the way with 38 tallies (108 points), followed by Matthew Tkachuk with 39 (99 points), Elias Lindholm with 39 (78 points), and finally Andrew Mangiapane with 34 (53 points).
Another massive stat that can't go unnoted is Calgary has the Top 3 skaters in +/- rating with Johnny Hockey standing at the top with an outrageous +60. Just to prove how much he adds to this team, the Flames' goal differential on the entire season is +82.
Oettinger has been very strong in net for Dallas this season, but the edge goes to Jacob Markstrom and the Flames. Markstrom has won his last two starts and has only allowed three goals. He should be able to shut down the struggling Stars offense and lead the Flames to another win on home ice backed with plenty of firepower.
Prediction: Flames moneyline (-225 at BetMGM)
Over/Under analysis
The last five games have been very disappointing for the Stars in regards to offensive production. They have only scored a total of nine goals in that span and have not scored more than twice in any of those games individually.
Calgary’s goal scoring has not been an issue this season, but tonight it faces a desperate Jake Oettinger. Oettinger is 27-14-1 this season with a 2.56 GAA and a .913 SV%. As good as he has been for the Stars this year, he is not one of those goalies who can necessarily steal a game — especially against a team as strong as the Flames.
Jacob Markstrom has had his name brought up in the Vezina Trophy conversation this season, which proves to you just how good he's been. He is 36-15-8 on the year with a 2.21 GAA and a .923 SV% while skating to a 11.6 GSAx. His team has been very solid in front of him as the Flames are currently the third best in the league at defensive proficiency, only allowing 2.48 goals against per game.
The Stars' offensive struggles will not get any better against a team as strong as the Flames and I think 6.0 is too high of a number. I like the Under.
Prediction: Under 6 (-120 at BetMGM)
Best bet
The focus in this matchup tonight will be the goaltending battle between Oettinger and Markstrom.
The Stars might be a little sluggish out of the gate after getting completely dominated by the Oilers last night and this will be their third game in four nights. I don’t expect them to play at a high pace and I doubt they will be able to generate many scoring chances against this strong Calgary blue line.
The Flames shouldn’t have any issues putting the puck in the net, but with how high the stakes are for this game I wouldn’t be surprised to see Oettinger stand on his head to help his team get into the playoffs. I think this will be a very tight, defensive battle and I see this one staying Under
Pick: Under 6 (-120 at BetMGM)
