Saturday`s NHL playoff schedule features just one game, but it`s a critical one: the Dallas Stars hosting the Colorado Avalanche in a winner-take-all Game 7. Set for 8 p.m. ET, this decisive matchup will determine which team advances to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to face the victor of Sunday`s Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 7 Analysis
While this series is tied at three games apiece, only two contests have been tightly contested – both Dallas overtime victories in Games 2 and 3. The other three games have seen wider margins, decided by at least three goals. As expected, Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon has been a dominant force, leading the series with 10 total points. This places him second among all players in the postseason, trailing only Edmonton`s Connor McDavid. MacKinnon also tops the playoffs in goals with six. Mikko Rantanen, a teammate of MacKinnon on the Avalanche, has tallied eight points in the series.
Regarding player props for this crucial game, MacKinnon`s total points line is set at 1.5, while Rantanen`s is at 0.5. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts MacKinnon finishing with 0.4 points, strongly recommending the Under on his prop bet with a rare 5-star rating. Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar also receives a favorable 4-star recommendation for the Under on his total points line of 0.5, particularly appealing with plus money odds currently at +146.
Looking at the game odds, the Colorado Avalanche are listed as -160 favorites on the moneyline according to SportsLine consensus odds, opening initially at -146. The Dallas Stars are home underdogs at +134. The total number of goals is set at 5.5. The SportsLine model shows a strong inclination towards one side of the spread, predicting it will hit in a substantial 77% of simulations. Full model projections and expert selections, including picks from SportsLine experts Bruce Marshall and Matt Severance, are available.
