The Dallas Stars attempt to eliminate the Minnesota Wild in Game 6 Friday. Puck drop at Xcel Energy Center is scheduled for 9:35 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stars vs. Wild odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Series: Stars lead 3-2
After falling down 2-1 in the series, Dallas has responded with 3-2 and 4-0 victories. LW Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist in Game 5 after going 3 games without a point. The real difference has been G Jake Oettinger‘s phenomenal play. The Wild showed him up in his home state in Game 3, and he has responded well. The team could also receive a boost from C Joe Pavelski‘s potential return from a concussion.
One of the biggest stories of this series is the power outage from LW Kirill Kaprizov. The Stars have frustrated him, and he has had 2 shots on goal (SOG) or fewer in 3 of the 5 games and has not scored a goal since Game 1. He missed a month with a lower-body injury late in the year, and maybe it has had an effect. The Wild need him in this game if they want to extend their season.
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Stars at Wild Game 6 odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Wild -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars -1.5 (+230) | Wild +1.5 (-275)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Stars at Wild Game 6 projected goalies
Jake Oettinger (37-11-11, 2.37 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO – regular season) vs. Filip Gustavsson (22-9-7, 2.10 GAA, .931 SV%, 3 SO – regular season)
Ever since the Game 3 rout, Oettinger has stopped 59 of 61 shots fired his way. He has been the difference maker in tilting the ice back Dallas’ way. He has allowed 6 goals on 58 shots in this building in the series.
You never know with coach Dean Evason, and he could go with Marc-Andre Fleury in this game. But Gustavsson hasn’t played poorly and was in goal for the team’s 2 wins in the series. He had identical games in Games 4-5 with 21 saves on 24 shots. He just needs a little more offense in front of him.
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Stars at Wild Game 6 picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 3, Stars 2
Moneyline
This game is a toss-up, and it’s priced as such. Minnesota is a gritty team that will not quit. I look for a tight game that may require overtime. This series was earmarked for 7 games before it started, and I think that holds true. The home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. The Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Take the WILD -110.
Puck line/Against the spread
Three of the 5 games have been multiple-goal winners, but I don’t see that kind of game here. There isn’t much value in either puck line as well.
I’d rather take a shot on ROOPE HINTZ ANYTIME GOAL +190.
He had a goal in Game 1 and a hat trick in Game 2. He has 6 assists in the last 2 games and just 4 SOG. It’s time someone feeds him.
Over/Under
The Under has hit in the last 2 and 3 of the 5 games in the series. The books like it, too. We’re forecasting 5 goals here, but I’d rather not pay -135 for professional hockey players not to score goals.
PASS.
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