The Dallas Stars are even at 2-2 with the Calgary Flames as Game 5 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series shifts back to Calgary Wednesday. Puck drop from Scotiabank Saddledome is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at the Stars vs. Flames odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Calgary looked better in Game 4 as they pelted Dallas for 54 shots in a 4-1 win. C Johnny Gaudreau awakened with his first goal of the series on a penalty shot and added an assist. He had just 2 points and 7 shots on goal in the first 3 games. C Matthew Tkachuk is still without a goal, so figure he’s due.
Monday’s 4-1 final is misleading. Calgary led 1-0 after 2 periods, went up 2-0 with 12:13 to go and took a 3-0 lead with 8:17 remaining. Dallas cut the deficit to 3-1 with a power-play goal with 4:57 left before Calgary iced it with an empty netter in the final minute.
Stars G Jake Oettinger continues to build his legacy. He finished with 50 saves in Game 4. He kept the Stars in it, but do they have enough offensively to steal another W north of the border?
Stars at Flames odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:31 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Stars +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Flames -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Stars +1.5 (-140) | Flames -1.5 (+112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
Stars at Flames projected goalies
Jake Oettinger (30-15-1, 2.53 GAA, .914 SV%, 1 SO – regular season) vs. Jacob Markstrom (37-15-9, 2.22 GAA, .922 SV%, 9 SO – regular season)
As mentioned, the second-year netminder Oettinger stopped 50 of 53 shots in Game 4. He has a 1.53 GAA and an absurd .960 SV%, saving 143 of 149 shots in the series. He stopped all 29 shots he saw the last time they were in Calgary (Thursday’s 2-0 victory in Game 2), but faced 41 and 53 shots, respectively, in the last 2 games.
Markstrom has been just as good with a 1.27 GAA and a .952 SV% in the series on 45 fewer shots. Markstrom has allowed 5 goals in the series, including 2 on the power play. He was a little better at home this season with a 22-8-7 record, a 2.17 GAA and a .919 SV% as opposed to 15-7-2, 2.32 GAA, .926 SV% on the road.
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Stars at Flames picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 3, Stars 2
Money line
This is a situation that I might hedge on. Both teams have scored 7 goals apiece in the series through 4 games. Both goalies have been phenomenal.
Everyone should expect the Flames to win this game, and we’re picking them to do so. But this series has been far too close to put +180 price on Dallas. I might throw a few dollars on Dallas (+180), but hedge it with puck line and/or O/U wagers.
It’s definitely a PASS on Calgary (-230).
Against the spread
As mentioned, Dallas was within a goal in Game 4 for 48 minutes. Calgary scored a PP goal and an empty netter to put it out of reach.
While the teams split the first 2 games in Calgary, the Stars outscored the Flames 2-1. I’ll throw a full unit on STARS +1.5 (-140) – and maybe more. Oettinger has been that good in net.
Over/Under
The Under hit in 3 of the 4 thus far, and the Flames needed 53 shots, a PP goal and an empty netter to score 4 goals. Each team has 7 goals in 4 games.
There’s not much to consider here – go UNDER 5.5 (-130).
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