Last Word On Hockey
NHL News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors
Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Dallas Stars. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Max; Sportsnet; SN 360; TVAS; Altitude; Victory
Two teams that loaded up at the NHL trade deadline will square off as the Stars host the Avalanche in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This matchup was one of the first determined for the post-season bracket. These two clubs made some major moves and the deadline. However, only one club will move on. The winner of this series gets the victor of the St Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.
Colorado won the season-series, but this matchup could go the distance. Dallas will want to get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since the bubble in 2020. The Avalanche are trying to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2022.
Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines in this round of NHL predictions
Many wondered where the Avs would be after trading Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. However, Martin Necas has adjusted to life well in the Rocky Mountains. We’ve also seen Nathan MacKinnon keep up his usually high standards. Cale Makar is putting Norris Trophy-caliber numbers this season.
Mackenzie Blackwood is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Blackwood has been great since being acquired from the San Jose Sharks.
The Avalanche will be getting a boost with captain Gabriel Landeskog returning to the lineup. Landeskog has played some conditioning games in the AHL, but one wonders how he’ll be against NHL competition.
We mentioned Rantanen earlier and he gets a shot at his old team in this series. There may be some bad blood with the way the Finn exited Denver. This storyline could amp up the dislike between the two sides.
Dallas will be without Jason Robertson after his injury in the regular-season finale. The Stars will be getting Tyler Seguin back, but the loss of Robertson will hurt.
One thing Dallas is good a tis keeping pucks out of the net. This is thanks to goalie Jake Oettinger and defensive studs like Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell and others.
Dallas losing Robertson could loom large in this game. However, the Stars have plenty of players that can pick up the slack.
Colorado has some talent on the offensive end and Blackwood seems to have found his home in net. This will be a tight one, but the Avs get the advantage.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2 in overtime.
We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for Game 1 is 5.5 and we think the under could be a good play in this one. For individual props, go with Makar to get the over on 0.5 power-play points for Colorado. On the Dallas side of things, take Wyatt Johnston to notch a goal in this game.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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Longtime sportswriter for the Watertown Daily Times. I have covered minor league and NCAA hockey in women’s Division I and men’s Division III. Also produce the nationally-syndicated Spadora on Sports radio show.
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