Avalanche vs Stars Prediction, Player Props, Odds & Starting Goalies (Friday, March 6)

• I’ve made my Avalanche vs Stars prediction for Friday’s first meeting in Dallas since last year’s Game 7
• Nathan MacKinnon has scored in five straight against the Stars and enters with 41 goals and 100 points
• Check out my Avalanche vs Stars prediction and player props below, starting goalies for Friday night’s Central Division showdown

This is the one everyone’s been waiting for. The Colorado Avalanche (41-10-9, 19-6-5 away) head to American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Stars (38-14-9, 18-7-3 home) in the first meeting between these Central Division heavyweights since the October season opener.

Dallas won that one in a shootout, 5-4, with former Av Mikko Rantanen scoring the deciding goal. The Stars have somehow gotten even better since, winning a franchise-record 10 straight and outscoring opponents 19-5 over the last five games. Colorado counters with the league’s best record and a three-game winning streak of its own.

Puck drop is set for 8 pm ET on ESPN+. Here are my Avalanche vs Stars prediction, player props, odds and starting goalies.

Avalanche vs Stars Prediction

• Over 5.5 Goals (-130 at Fanatics)

I’m going over for my Avalanche vs Stars prediction. The moneyline is too tight to lay either way in a game between the top two teams in the West, but the history between these clubs keeps trending toward goals.

The over has hit in four straight meetings and 10 of the last 11 in Dallas. Nine of the last 10 overall have produced at least six combined goals. These teams simply can’t play low-event hockey against each other.

Avalanche vs Stars Key Stats

The special teams matchup is the key variable. Dallas converts at a ridiculous 30% on the power play, second in the NHL. Colorado’s penalty kill is third-best at 83.53%, but even a couple of minor penalties could blow this game open. The Avs take the third-fewest penalties in the league (7.12 PIM/game), so discipline will be everything.

Both offenses are rolling right now too. Dallas has scored 42 goals over the last 10 games (4.2 per game), while Colorado has put up 32 in the same span. With Fanatics pricing the total at 5.5, give me the over in a game that features two of the best attacks in hockey.

Avalanche vs Stars Player Props

• Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal (-110 at DraftKings)

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MacKinnon has scored in five consecutive games against Dallas and seven of the last eight, generating 50 shots on target over his last 10 meetings with the Stars.

The 100-point man has been firing nonstop since the Olympics too, putting up 25 shots on goal across four games. He’s converting at a career-best 15.2% clip this season, and at -110, I’m backing him to keep the streak alive.

• Wyatt Johnston Anytime Goal (+150 at FanDuel)

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Johnston has 33 goals and 65 points and has scored in three of four games since the Olympic break. The 22-year-old already found the net against Colorado earlier this season and has three goals in three career games against Blackwood.

With 18 goals in 28 home games, he’s one of the most dangerous finishers in the league at American Airlines Center.

Avalanche vs Stars Odds

Odds as of March 6 via consensus sportsbooks. Check out the DraftKings promo code and grab a sign-up bonus for tonight’s action.

The latest Avalanche vs Stars odds have Colorado as a slight -120 road favorite with Dallas at even money (+100). The puck line is Colorado -1.5 (+200) and Dallas +1.5 (-247). The total is set between 5.5 and 6.5, with the best price on Over 5.5 at -130 on FanDuel, while the best price on Under 6.5 is -145 on Bet365.

Colorado’s -120 moneyline carries roughly a 54.5% implied probability. This is only the second time all season Dallas has been a home underdog, so the market is giving the Avs a slight edge based on roster talent and overall record. That said, 10 straight wins and a plus-money price at home makes Dallas a live dog.

Avalanche vs Stars Starting Goalies

Both NHL starting goalies are confirmed for Wednesday, and we’ve broken down their stats below.

Blackwood vs Oettinger Stats

Blackwood has been outstanding this season with a 2.22 GAA and .916 save percentage, posting a 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since the Olympic break. One catch: Blackwood is 0-4-1 with a 3.60 GAA against Dallas in his career.

Oettinger has been sharp since the break with a 1.48 GAA and .927 SV% in two starts, both wins. He was lightly tested in Monday’s 6-1 win over Vancouver, stopping 13 of 14. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan has had this game circled for a while, saying he’s “been paying attention to this game versus Colorado since last time we played Colorado.”

Lineup Notes

Colorado will be without Artturi Lehkonen (upper body, week-to-week), Joel Kiviranta (concussion) and Logan O’Connor (hip). Nic Roy, acquired from Toronto at the deadline, will make his Avs debut centering the third line.

For Dallas, Rantanen (lower body) remains out, and both deadline acquisitions — Tyler Myers and Michael Bunting — will be healthy scratches. Roope Hintz is expected to return after missing four games with an illness.