Wild vs Stars Game 2 Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Seguin Steps Up With New Offensive Opportunity

The Dallas Stars took the first blow in their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round matchup with the Minnesota Wild — losing 3-2 in double overtime on home ice.

In order to even up the series (and swing the NHL odds for the series back in its favor) Dallas will need another strong effort tonight — and it'll no doubt be leaning on its most productive forwards to do so.

However, Dallas' dynamic duo will have a new third wheel tonight in Tyler Seguin... and there's value in betting on him to have a big game.

Read on to see why you should bet on Seguin — and which of his NHL player props you should target — with my free NHL picks for the Wild vs. Stars Game 2.

Wild vs Stars Game 2 odds

Wild vs Stars series odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 19

Wild vs Stars Game 2 predictions

The Dallas Stars' top line has long been the pairing of stars Jason Roberton and Roope Hintz, along with veteran Joe Pavelski. However, after Matt Dumba's controversial hit midway through the second period, Pavelski is out for tonight, as he's in the league's concussion protocol... and it could be an extended absence.

Matt Dumba lays a late hit on Joe Pavelski and receives a 2-minute minor penalty for roughing. pic.twitter.com/a6XTWf4Hup

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2023

After Pavelski left the game, it was another veteran — Tyler Seguin — who was elevated from the third line to playing on both the top line and top power-play unit.

The 31-year-old Seguin is no longer the point-per-game scorer he was in his younger days, but he did manage 50 points this season and was effective playing with Robertson and Hintz in Game 1, playing 10:19 together with a 69.23 Corsi For percentage and 0.76 expected goals for (against just 0.27 expected goals against).

Dallas coach Peter DeBoer worked to get that line (and the second line) as much time as possible vs. the Minnesota Wild third line of Marcus Foligno/Sam Steel/Gus Nyquist — who faced tilted all game, with a 27.3 CF% and -0.63 expected goal differential.

Seguin did not manage to record a point on Tuesday, but he did have points in five of six heading into the postseason, and his scoring opportunity will have greatly increased with Pavelski sidelined.

Both of Dallas' Game 1 goals came on the power play — prior to Pavelski's injury — so Seguin will be in the middle of that dynamic unit now, plus more continued even-strength matchups against Minny's bottom-six forward (made possible by the Stars having the final line change) should also lead to better quality scoring chances.

Seguin's Over 0.5 points is currently available at -110, which compared to Robertson (-235), Hintz (-185), or even Jamie Benn (-140) seems like fantastic value for a proven scorer playing all the high-leverage offensive spots. 

My best bet: Tyler Seguin Over 0.5 points (-120 at bet365)

Wild vs Stars Game 2 moneyline analysis

Just like Monday's first crop of games, this is the tightest spread on the schedule today, although the Game 2 line opened about five cents more in favor of Dallas, and currently sitting at -150 — close to what Game 1 closed at (-155). 

Per Moneypuck, Game 1's double OT battle was run by the correct team, with Minnesota having 4.07 xGF, to only 3.76 for Dallas, and Moneypuck calculated that the Wild win that game 55% of the time.

That said, the Stars were still the much better team overall throughout the regular-season matchups, with 15.92 expected goals vs. 10.06 for the Wild.

One of the key factors in Minnesota's G1 win was that goalie Filip Gustavsson delivered arguably one of his best performances ever, making 51 saves and logging 1.76 goals saved above expected — well above his season average of 0.62 GSAE/game — in a contest where the Stars turned up the pressure, outshooting Minnesota 38-19 from the third period on.

Wild vs Stars Game 2 Over/Under analysis

Heading into Game 1, the overarching theme is that both clubs are defensively sound and limit quality chances at 5v5, with elite goaltenders cleaning up anything else.

That was exactly what happened on Monday, as Gustavsson's 1.76 GSAE and .962 SV% were only slightly better than Jake Oettinger's .938 SV% and 1.07 GSAE.

Both goalies entered the playoffs hot, as Oettinger has a .941 SV%, 1.41 GAA, and allowed more than two goals just once in his last nine appearances (including Game 1), while Gustavsson also has a .941 SV% over his last eight outings following Monday's game.

Plus, despite going to double overtime, this game still finished Under the total of 5.5, marking four straight H2H matchups with five or fewer total goals — and the Under for Game 2 is again juiced... as high as -134 at some places.

Wild vs Stars betting trend to know

The underdog is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs Stars.

Wild vs Stars Game 2 game info

Wild vs Stars Game 2 injuries

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