The Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames meet in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. We analyze the Stars-Flames NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Flames vs. Stars: Projected starting goalies
Cam Talbot vs. Anton Khudobin
Talbot sparked in the qualifying round, allowing six goals in a 3-1 series win vs. the Winnipeg Jets. He posted a 1.51 goals against average and a .945 save percentage. Plus, he tossed a 4-0 shutout in the series-clincher. Talbot met the Stars once in the regular season, allowing just two goals on 31 shots, but the Flames lost 3-1 at home back on Nov. 13.
Khudobin was sharp in the final round-robin game, a 2-1 shootout victory against the St. Louis Blues to wrap up the three-seed in the West. Khudobin made 21 saves on 22 shots in that win. Ben Bishop, the Stars’ top goalie, has been battling an unspecified ailment and hasn’t been able to play. Even if Bishop – 21-16-4, 2.50 GAA, .920 SV% in the regular season – is ruled OK for Game 1, Khudobin is likely to get the nod after his scintillating performance Sunday.
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Flames vs. Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:35 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Flames 3, Stars 2
Moneyline (ML)
The FLAMES (-106) rolled the Jets in four games, outscoring the opposition by a 16-6 count. It was a physical series, and Winnipeg suffered several injuries along the way to aid Calgary’s push. Now, the Flames head into a series against the Stars (-112), a team which won just once in three round-robin games, while being outscored 10-5. If you’re not feeling overtime, you can bet the FLAMES (+155) on the 3-way line – which means they have to win in regulation. However, if the game goes OT and Calgary wins, the bet loses.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Flames returns a profit of $9.43, while a winning $10 play on the Stars fetches a return of $8.93.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Flames (-1, -200) are an expensive buy on the puck line. AVOID along with PASSING on all alternate puck lines on this game, as it is going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight that will be decided by one goal. The Stars’ alternate line of -1.5 (+240) is tempting if you like them to win the opener, but it’s not a winning play.
Over/Under (O/U)
The O/U is 5: Over -139, Under +115. While the alternate line of UNDER 5.5 (-154) will cost you, it’s the play. Calgary’s offense is a well-oiled machine and averaged 3.0 goals per game against the Stars in three regular-season meetings, going 2-1. In Talbot’s lone start against Dallas this season, he lost 3-1.
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