Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche, Game 4 Best Bets: Back the Home Team to Tie

Tonight in Ball Arena the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. After winning Game 1 in overtime on the road, the Avalanche have now dropped two straight to Dallas, with the last game being at home. Now, Nathan MacKinnon and company find themselves down 2-1 at home, with a shot to even the series tonight before heading back to Texas.

Colorado squeaked away with a 4-3 victory in overtime and outshot the Stars 26-22 in Game 1. Dallas responded in Game 2, outshooting the Avs by 1, but beating them 5-3 with an empty net goal. The Stars found themselves up 4-0 after two periods, and let Colorado get back within 1 goal with less than 4 minutes left before sealing the game.

Then back in Denver, the Avalanche couldn’t get anything by Jake Oettinger, who stopped 28 of 29 shots as the Stars won 4-1. Colorado outshot Dallas 29-23, and were only down 2-1 with two minutes to play. However a pair of empty net goals sealed Game 3 in favor of the Stars.

With their backs against the wall, certainly Colorado will even the series tonight, right?

Check out out Rangers/Canes Game 5 Preview!

Stars Stole Game 3 in Colorado

Matchup Information – Stars vs Avalanche

• Venue & Location: Ball Arena (Denver, CO)
• Date: Monday, May 13th, 2024
• Puck Drop: 9:30pm Eastern
• Where to Watch: ESPN

Betting Odds, courtesy of BetOnline

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Puck Line

• Stars +1.5 (-210)
• Avalanche -1.5 (+180)

Money Line

• Stars +118
• Avalanche -133

Total

• Over 6.5 (-101)
• Under 6.5 (-115)

Will Avalanche Even Series Before Heading Back to Texas?

Nathan MacKinnon is averaging 7.8 shots attempts this NHL Playoffs, but only 4.3 SOGs per game. His line tonight is over 4.5 at around (-105) odds, yet he’s only cleared that twice this postseason, having games with 8 and 7 SOGs. The books clearly think he comes out firing tonight, and I would have to agree.

He’s only had 3 SOGs in the last two playoff games, but has averaged 8 attempts per contest against the Stars, and having scored just once at home in the postseason, I see him absolutely going on a tear tonight. This season against Dallas in seven games, MacKinnon averages 5 SOGs on 9.29 total shot attempts. He has 3 games with double digit attempts, and two this playoffs with 9 in each. I see Mr. MacKinnon and the entire Colorado team coming out with some fire.

The Stars blocked 24 shots last time out, and have been averaging 21 blocked shots this series. During the regular season, this team averaged just 12.12 per game, so I expect some decline in that number, and more shots that Oettinger has to face. Tonight, I will be rolling with the Avalanche at home.

Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Best Bets

Best Bet: Avalanche ML (-133) BetOnline

We are backing the Avs with the best line on the market. I fully intend to see this series go at least 6 games, and I bet the Avalanche prevent Dallas from having a series clinching opportunity at home in Game 5. Ultimately, I trust the Avlanche to bounce back and respond, as I believe they are the deeper, better team. However, they need to figure out a way to get the puck past Oettinger, and tonight I think they put that job in the hands of Nathan MacKinnon.

The Avalanche are 0/6 on the power play in the last two games of this series after going a perfect 2/2 in Game 1. I see them having multiple opportunities, and prioritizing MacKinnon in the slot to finish off the job.

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