Parker's prediction: Mikko Rantanen is the best player on the planet right now, and he'll have all the confidence in the world to shoot at will.
This article contains predictions for an old game!
The Dallas Stars stole home-ice advantage with a Game 1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, and the two teams will hit the ice at Canada Life Centre again tonight.
Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen is stringing together statement showings to shine as the brightest star, and he headlines my Stars vs. Jets predictions for Game 2.
Find out more NHL picks for Friday, May 9.
I expect Dallas to take a 2-0 series lead back to American Airlines Arena. The Stars held the Jets in check to the tune of just 1.98 expected goals and nine high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the series opener, and Dallas has the deeper supporting cast of scorers.
Winnipeg No. 1 Connor Hellebuyck didn’t impress in Game 1, either. He turned away just 21 of 24 shots and was outplayed by Dallas starter Jake Oettinger.
My Stars vs Jets pick: Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots (-105 at BET99)
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen is putting on a postseason clinic and has recorded three or more shots in six of eight postseason games to rank in the 99th percentile of forwards in shots on goal.
He also paces Dallas in both shots (29) and attempts (48) through eight playoff games and remains a go-to shooter on the No. 1 power-play unit while averaging 3:19 per night with the man advantage.
Additionally, I also value he and countrymen Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund were able to tilt the ice in their favor at 5-on-5 in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Dallas top line finished with a 54.3 Corsi For percentage and 57.1% shot share after recording respective 43.3% and 45.5% marks against the Colorado Avalanche in Round 1.
The possession matchup is all the more meaningful because Hintz, Rantanen, and Granlund played most of their 5-on-5 minutes against the top Winnipeg defenders.
There’s potential No. 1 defenseman Josh Morrissey (upper body) returns for Winnipeg on Friday, but I’m not anticipating him having enough of an impact to slow down Rantanen.
Stars moneyline
Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots
Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots
Dallas stole home-ice advantage in Game 1, and I expect it to take a 2-0 series lead back to American Airlines Arena with a second win Friday.
The Stars limited the Jets to just 1.98 expected goals and nine high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the series opener, and Dallas has the deeper supporting cast of scorers.
Additionally, Winnipeg No. 1 Connor Hellebuyck continued to underwhelm in Game 1 and stopped just 21 of 24 shots. I also value Dallas was able to hang onto its one-goal lead throughout the third period.
While Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers registered two shots on seven attempts Wednesday to fall short of this benchmark, he’s pacing the club with 28 attempts through three games since returning to action. He also recorded three or more in both of his first two games back.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bet on the NHL at BET99!
One of Canada’s best sportsbooks for hockey betting, join BET99 and get up to $1,500 bonus bets back if your first bet doesn’t win when using our BET99 promo code COVERSBONUS!
*Not available in Ontario. 19+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Odds courtesy of BET99
The Dallas Stars have hit the Under in 52 of their last 101 games (+6.55 Units / 6% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Jets.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs at some of the top websites in the industry.
Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.
Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.