Two crucial points are up for grabs, and the Avalanche will take advantage on home ice.
NHL
The Colorado Avalanche return home to host Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars this afternoon at Ball Arena.
Tensions are sure to be high in what could be a first-round playoff preview, and my Stars vs. Avalanche predictions expect the home favorites to come out on top.
Read all about it in my NHL picks for March 16.
My best bet: Avalanche moneyline (-135 at DraftKings)
My analysis
The Winnipeg Jets are running away with the Central Division. Still, the battle between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche for home-ice advantage in the first round is intensifying. This afternoon’s matchup will be their most heated in a while with Mikko Rantanen returning to Colorado as a member of the Stars.
Dallas won all four games on its homestand before going 1-2-0 on a road trip. A 4-1 win in Vancouver has been sandwiched by a 5-4 loss in Edmonton and a 4-1 decision in Winnipeg on Friday. Meanwhile, the Avalanche won 4-2 in Calgary on Friday night to extend their point streak to eight games (7-0-1).
The Avs have one of the best home-ice advantages in the sport due to the altitude in Colorado and they’ve played that to a 22-10-2 record at home while the Stars are 18-14-1 on the road. Furthermore, the Stars are 3-4 as road underdogs with the Avalanche 21-11 as home favorites.
The Avs not only have home-ice advantage but they’re also healthier. Dallas is still without Miro Heiskanen and Tyler Seguin while Roope Hintz and Lian Bichsel are day-to-day.
Look for Colorado to take care of business at home as -135 favorites.
Avalanche moneyline
Cale Makar Over 2.5 shots on goal
Valeri Nichushkin anytime goalscorer
Cale Makar is the favorite for the Norris Trophy with 75 points to lead all defensemen. He also has 206 shots in 67 games, including 3+ in eight of his last 10 contests.
Valeri Nichushkin has been great for the Avs since returning with goals in three of his last seven games, including in Calgary on Friday night.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
The Dallas Stars have hit the Game Total Under in 56 of their last 98 games (+16.95 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Avalanche.
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Ryan Gilbert brings the passion and pain of being a Philadelphia sports fan. After graduating from Monmouth University with a finance degree, he now uses his statistical background to find inefficiencies in betting markets. With past stops at NHL.com, NBC Sports, and currently at Covers, Ryan’s hot picks blend well with the cold ice of a hockey rink.
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