The Vegas Golden Knights (45-29-8) hit the road to face the Dallas Stars (52-21-9) in Game 1 of their 1st-round series at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Golden Knights vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
In a matchup of last season’s Western Conference Finals, the Golden Knights march into Dallas, where they outscored the Stars 12-3 in 3 games in that series. The Knights have some injury questions with RW Mark Stone’s (abdomen) status unknown, and D Alex Pietrangelo (illness) missed some time down the stretch. One thing that holds true is they’re a big, physical team that is built for the playoffs.
The Stars live and die with G Jake Oettinger in net. He struggled in last year’s playoffs, allowing 3+ goals in 11 of 19 starts after a banner regular season. The team tapered his workload back from 62 to 54 Games this season. C Joe Pavelski was a monster in last year’s postseason with 9 goals and 5 assists in 14 Games. They’ll rely heavily on the veteran again this postseason run.
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Golden Knights at Stars odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:38 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Stars -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-225) | Stars -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Golden Knights at Stars projected goalies
Logan Thompson (25-14-5, 2.70 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jake Oettinger (35-14-4, 2.72 GAA, .905 SV%, 3 SO)
The one major hurdle the Knights will have to navigate this playoff run is the goaltending. G Adin Hill missed a lot of time this season after he went on a heater in last year’s playoffs. Thompson will have to prove he can do the same. He was 3-2-0 with a 3.22 GAA and .887 SV% in 5 April starts. He beat the Stars in his only start against them this season, stopping 19 of 20 shots he faced.
Oettinger was phenomenal down the stretch, going 5-1-0 with a 1.65 GAA and .941 SV% in 6 April starts. As mentioned, the team reduced his workload by 8 Games this season after he seemingly wore down in last year’s playoffs. He was 0-1-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .885 SV% against Vegas this season. He went 2-4 with an .877 SV% in 6 Games against the eventual Stanley Cup champs in last year’s playoffs.
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Golden Knights at Stars picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Stars 2
Moneyline
The Stars lost all 3 Game 1’s last year, and 2 of those were at home. I think Vegas comes out and outmuscles them in this one. Vegas won all 3 matchups this season, and 2 came in the Stars’ building.
Take the value with the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+115).
Puck line/Against the spread
There is a glaring prop bet ready for the picking. C Jack Eichel had 4+ SOG (shots on goal) in the final 3 Games of the season. He also had 4, 4 and 8 SOG against Dallas this year.
Take JACK EICHEL OVER 3.5 SHOTS (+100).
Over/Under
The Knights beat the Stars in Vegas 4-3 and it required overtime in Game 1 last postseason. I’m thinking we see one team reach 4 in this one as well. VGK is 5-4-1 O/U in its last 10, and Dallas was just 2-8. I look for a high-scoring opener before the jitters and adrenaline evens out.
Take the OVER 5.5 (-120).
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