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The Colorado Avalanche (13-10-0) take on the division-rival Dallas Stars (13-8-0) Friday evening. Puck drop from American Airlines Center is set for 9 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Avalanche vs. Stars odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Avalanche won 3-1 in 2023-24 regular season; Dallas won 4-2 in second round of 2024 playoffs
The Avs survived in a 2-1 shootout against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday as -156 favorites. RW Valeri Nichushkin scored his 2nd goal of the season and has a 3-game point streak after his late start to the season due to personal issues. The Avs have won 7 of 9 to right their season.
The Stars were embarrassed 6-2 in Chicago Wednesday as -218 favorites. C Matt Duchene scored his team-high 12th goal in the loss. The Stars, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games, have allowed 6 goals in consecutive games.
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Avalanche at Stars odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 6:59 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Stars -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-225) | Stars -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Avalanche at Stars projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (7-5-0, 3.26 GAA, .875 SV%) vs. Jake Oettinger (11-4-0, 2.43 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO)
Georgiev got off to a miserable start to the season, but he has been much better in November, dropping his GAA more than 2 goals per game. He’s 6-1-0 with a 2.38 GAA and .910 SV% in 8 November games (7 starts). He was 3-1-0 with a 3.51 GAA and .892 SV% in 4 starts against Dallas last season.
Oettinger is coming off his one of his worst performances of the season, allowing 5 goals on 33 shots at Carolina Monday. In 9 starts this month, he has allowed 2 goals or fewer in 6 of them, though. He was 1-2-0 with a 4.74 GAA and .863 GAA in 3 starts against the Avs a season ago.
Avalanche at Stars picks and predictions
Prediction
Stars 6, Avalanche 4
Moneyline
The Stars beat the Avs in 6 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year, but Colorado really took it to them during the regular season. The Avs won 6-3 and 5-4 in Dallas, 5-1 at home, and Dallas won the final meeting 7-4. So Colorado scored 20 goals in the 4 games.
That said, Dallas is 8-2-0 at home and 5-6-0 on the road. Oettinger has just a 1.98 GAA at home. I like the home side.
BET STARS (-130).
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m taking NATHAN MACKINNON ANYTIME GOAL SCORER (+130). He has not scored in 8 straight games and doesn’t have a point in 2 straight. He took 10 shots on goal in the last game! So you know he’s ready to put this slump to bed. If you’d prefer to play it safe, take NATHAN MACKINNON OVER 3.5 SHOTS (-140) as the same logic correlates there.
Over/Under
These matchups were slugfests in the regular season. The Stars just allowed 6 goals twice, and the Avs are finally hitting their stride with everyone back.
TAKE OVER 6.5 (-115).
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