Stars vs. Avalanche Prediction, Odds, Picks

The Dallas Stars will play Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. It’s a Western Conference showdown at Ball Arena as we share our NHL odds series and make a Stars-Avalanche prediction and pick.

The Avalanche were 44-43 in their last 87 games against the Stars. Most recently, Zvezda defeated Avalanche 5-3 on November 30, 2024. Stars are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. Also, the Avs are 3-2 in their last five games against the Stars at the Ball Arena.

Here is Zvezda-Lavina NHL oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NHL odds: Stars-Avalanche odds

Dallas Stars: +1.5 (-230)

Moneiline: +114

Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (+184)

Moneilines: -137

Over: 6.5 (+114)

Under: 6.5 (-140)

How to watch Stars vs. Avalanche

Time: 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT

TV: ESPN, Victory + and ALT

*Watch NHL games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the stars might cover the spread/win

Stars can be active at the trade deadline and waiting to play their cards. Significantly, they have done a lot of good things this season and played well enough to be third in the Central Division.

When the Stars beat the Avalanche in November, they scored early and kept their foot on the gas from the start. Incredibly, it was 4-1 to the Stars at one point, and they dominated the game before fending off a furious comeback. There will be some differences in this game. First, Mason Marchment, who had two goals and one assist, will not play as he deals with an injury. Also, Tyler Seguin is not playing due to injury, and he had a goal and an assist in that game.

But Zvezda will still have some other key players from that game. Jamie Benn will be available and had a goal and an assist as they won five draws and lost six. Meanwhile, Miro Heiskanen added two assists. Matt Duchene also had an assist. Notably, Rupp Hintz is dealing with an upper body injury and had a goal in that win over Zvezda. He might not play, and that would be another setback for Zvezda. Overall, the Stars fired 24 shots in that game and won 58 percent of the faceoffs. Additionally, they went 2 for 4 on the powerplay.

Jake Ettinger did well in the win over the Avalanche, making 29 saves and allowing three goals. Moreover, he played behind a defense that produced 20 hits and blocked 14 shots. The Stars also went 4 for 5 on the penalty kill.

The Stars will cover the spread if they can continue their explosive offense and find ways to get the puck to the net. Then they must figure out how to defend Nathan MacKinnon and the other dangerous weapons the Avalanche possess.

Why Avalanche could cover the spread/win

Gabriel Landeskog took part in the morning skating and can be returned after two years of action have passed. It would be a welcome return for the Avalanche as they have been hovering around the wild card race, currently sitting in first place and trailing the Stars by two points in the Central Division.

The Avalanche played significantly better since the loss to Zvezda. However, they suffered a hiccup on Thursday, blowing a 3-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers in a game reminiscent of earlier in the season. Although they lost that game against Zvezda, they also had a furious comeback.

Miko Rantanen had one goal and one assist in that game. Also, Cale Makar had two helpers. McKinnon had a helper, while Artturi Lekkonen added an assist. The Avalanche took 32 shots, but won just 42 percent of their faceoffs. Likewise, they were 1 for 5 on the powerplay.

Aleksandar Georgiev was the goalkeeper in the defeat against Zvezda, but is no longer in the team. Instead, Mackenzie Blackwood will be in net (unless Scott Wedgewood gets the start). In any case, they will be a better option and play behind the defense that scored 20 goals and blocked 19 shots in the last game against Zvezda.

The Avalanche will cover the spread if they can do better in the faceoff circle to give their stars a better chance to win. Then they have to defend the net and not let Zvezda take too many risks.

Final Stars-Avalanche Prediction & Pick

The Stars are 19-25 against the spread, while the Avalanche are 17-29 against the odds. Furthermore, the Stars are 6-15 against the spread on the road, while the Avs are 7-16 against the spread at home. The Stars are 12-28-4 against the over/under, while the Avalanche are 24-21-1 against the over/under.

The Stars are hurting but still finding ways to win, going 6-2 in eight games in January. While I like the Avalanche, I think the Stars will figure out a way to keep this close. So this will be a battle to the finish, with Zvezda covering the spread.

Final Stars-Avalanche Prediction & Pick: Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (+184)