Stars and Predators Tied in Odds to Make Playoffs – Which Team Is the Best Bet?
- The Stars and Predators have equal odds to make the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Nashville occupies the final playoff spot in the Central Division, but Dallas is only two points back
- Are the Stars or the Predators the better bet to make the playoffs?
The race for the final playoff spot in the NHL’s Central Division is going down to the wire. The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators are being listed with equal odds to make the 2021 postseason in the updated NHL Playoff odds.
Nashville has moved into the final playoff spot thanks to a stellar second half of the season, while Dallas is currently two points back of the Preds as they navigate a compressed schedule. That being said, the Predators and Stars playoff odds are dead even.
We take a look at the race in the Central Division and tell you which team is the best bet.
Central Division NHL Playoff Odds
| Team | Odds to Make Playoffs | Odds to Miss Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | -110 | -110 |
| Nashville Predators | -110 | -110 |
Odds as of Apr. 29 at FanDuel
Saros’ Stellar Play Fuelling Predators Run
The main reason we are talking about the Predators as a playoff contender at this point of the season is due to the exceptional goaltending from 26-year-old Juuse Saros. The Finnish netminder has allowed two or fewer goals in 20 of his last 24 games and owns an incredible .944 save percentage in that span.
The Preds opened at -134 odds to make the playoffs in 2021. However, their odds got as long as +450 as they struggled in the early months of the season. They really started to see improvement in both their NHL playoff odds and Stanley Cup odds after an impressive stretch between March and April in which they won 13 of 16 games.
JUUSE SAROS 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/gL6rYtwrnS
— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2021
The Predators have a two-point lead on the Stars with five games remaining. That being said, Dallas has a couple of games in hand. Nashville has scored at least four goals in four of its past five outings, but the team ranks 21st in goals scored per game on the year. If the goal scoring dries up or Saros comes back down to earth, Nashville could be on the outside looking in.
Injury Riddled Stars Limping to Finish Line
The Stars are trying to make a late playoff push as they navigate a very compressed schedule. An early COVID-19 outbreak and a winter storm in Texas forced the Stars to play many back-to-back games. The toughest test still remains, however, as the Stars will close out the regular season with a seven-game road trip.
Big road trip. First stop, Tampa. 🛫#GoStars pic.twitter.com/qEPUs0ItNZ
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 28, 2021
Not only is fatigue a concern for Dallas, but they’ve been without several of their top players due to injury. Goalie Ben Bishop and forward Tyler Seguin haven’t suited up this year. Not to mention, sniper Alex Radulov was recently shut down for the season. Breakout forward Roope Hintz has also been dealing with an injury all year.
After making the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, the Stars were listed at +433 in the Central Division odds on opening night. While winning the division is no longer a possibility, a playoff berth is well within reach. The Stars are no strangers to overcoming adversity. Not to mention, they have an 8-2-2 record over the past 12 games.
Betting Analysis
Almost all of the stats will tell you that Dallas is the better team than Nashville. They’re scoring more goals, allowing fewer goals, and have better possession numbers. But you have to look at the remaining schedule to get an idea of which team really has the best shot at making the postseason.
WE LIKE IT, WE LOVE IT pic.twitter.com/mO5PcghORt
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 28, 2021
The Predators host Dallas at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday and play two road games at Columbus. John Hynes’ team has taken four of the last five meetings with Dallas and won three straight against the Blue Jackets. On the other hand, Dallas has to face Tampa Bay three times — a team they’ve lost to in five of the last six meetings.
The Predators are coming on at the right time and have one of the hottest goalies in the NHL. The fatigued Stars are one of the league’s worst road teams (8-9-4) and have to play seven road games in 12 days. Dallas is the better team, but the Preds are the smart bet to earn the final playoff berth in the Central.
Pick: Nashville Predators To Make Playoffs (-110)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
