The Dallas Stars are heading to Denver to face off against the Colorado Avalanche in a matchup that's sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. With the series tied at 1-1, each team has managed a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory on the other's home ice. The latest clash saw the Avalanche edge out the Stars in a shootout on March 6, with the Avs covering as -120 favorites, while the Stars were +115 underdogs when they snagged a win in Denver back in October.
The Stars recently saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt with a 6-3 loss at home to the Utah Mammoth. Despite the setback, C Wyatt Johnston continues to shine, notching his career-high 37th goal and scoring in three consecutive games. Unfortunately, RW Mikko Rantanen remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, leaving a gap in the lineup.
On the other side, the Avalanche are looking to rebound after a tough 7-2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite being heavy favorites, the Avs struggled, particularly in the final two frames, managing only 10 shots. C Nathan MacKinnon, however, continues to be a force, having scored his 45th goal of the season.
In goal, Jake Oettinger is expected to start for the Stars. With a record of 28-10-5, he’s been solid, especially in March, allowing two or fewer goals in four of his five starts this month.
His only blemish was the March 6 shootout loss to the Avs. Meanwhile, Scott Wedgewood will likely be between the pipes for Colorado.
Despite a rough outing against Pittsburgh, he’s been impressive in his previous appearances, including a strong relief performance against Dallas.
Prediction time: The Stars, just three points behind the Avalanche in the Central Division, are in striking distance and looking to capitalize. With Colorado being outscored 10-3 in their last two games, Dallas could have the upper hand.
Expect a high-scoring affair, as both previous meetings this season have ended 5-4. The Over has been a trend in this matchup, cashing in five straight meetings, so look for plenty of action on the scoreboard.
In this tightly contested battle, the Stars might just edge out the Avalanche once again, potentially with another 5-4 scoreline. Keep an eye on the offensive fireworks as these two teams clash in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry.