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Flames vs Stars Series Preview, Odds, and Picks

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in NHL Hockey

Updated May 1, 2022 · 4:24 PM PDT

Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg and Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk fight for position in front of the net
Nov 4, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) and Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) fight for position in front of Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars faceoff in Round 1 of the 2022 NHL Playoffs
  • Calgary is listed as heavy -305 favorites in the Flames vs Stars series odds
  • Read below for Flames vs Stars series odds, preview and picks

The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars are set to do battle in Round 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, Dallas eliminated Calgary in six games in 2020.

Oddsmakers like the Flames’ chances of getting revenge on the Stars this postseason. Calgary is listed as heavy -305 favorites in the Flames vs Stars series odds.

Let’s analyze the Flames vs Stars odds, preview the series and offer you our official pick.

Flames vs Stars Series Odds

Team Moneyline
Calgary Flames -305
Dallas Stars +235

Odds as of April 30th at Barstool Sportsbook.

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Calgary’s series price means they have 75% implied probability to defeat the Stars. Dallas’ +235 underdog price give them 30% implied probability to advance onto Round 2.

Calgary being heavily favored to beat Dallas means they also have far better 2022 Stanley Cup odds. The Flames are priced at +700 to win the Stanley Cup, while the Stars are listed as +5000 longshots to win it all.

Flames vs Stars Series Schedule

Flames vs Stars is set to get underway on Tuesday, May 3rd at Scotiabank Saddledome. It’s one of four series in the NHL playoff bracket that doesn’t kick off on Monday’s opening night of the postseason.

Date Game Location Start Time (ET) Broadcast Networks
Tuesday, May 3 Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome 10pm CBC, ESPN2
Thursday, May 5 Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome 10pm CBC, TBS
Saturday, May 7 Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars American Airlines Center 9:30pm TNT, CBC
Monday, May 9 Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars American Airlines Center 9:30pm TBS, CBC
*Wednesday, May 11 Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome TBD TBD
*Friday, May 13 Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars American Airlines Center TBD TBD
*Sunday, May 15 Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome TBD TBD

*If necessary.

Calgary’s home-ice advantage in Round 1 is crucial, as the Flames went 25-9-7 at Scotiabank Saddledome during the regular season. The Stars were only 19-20-2 on the road.

Flames Playoff Betting Analysis 

Calgary is heavily favored to defeat Dallas in the Flames vs Stars series odds. Not only is Darryl Sutter’s team one of the heaviest Round 1 series favorites, but they’re also a top-two favorite in the Western Conference odds.

Oddsmakers are projecting a lengthy playoff run for a Flames team that’s had its fair share of postseason struggles. Calgary missed the postseason last year and haven’t won a playoff series since 2014-15.

Calgary finished first in the Pacific Division this season thanks to career years from key players. Johnny Gaudreau became a contender in the Hart Trophy odds with 40 goals and 117 points, while Matthew Tkachuk recorded the first 100-point campaign of his career.

Given the Flames’ first-place finish, it’s easy to get flashbacks to 2019 when they won their division yet lost in Round 1 to Colorado. A key difference this year, however, is goaltending as Jacob Markstrom is a legit Vezina contender with an NHL-leading nine shutouts.

Stars Playoff Betting Analysis

Dallas was the final team to clinch a berth in the 2022 NHL Playoffs, so it’s not surprising to see them priced as heavy underdogs in the Flames vs Stars series odds. Rick Bowness’ club missed the postseason last year after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.

The Stars took down the Flames in six games during their incredible run to the Cup Final two years ago. Many players from that roster, including veterans Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, are still on the 2022 team.

There’s one key stat bettors need to know before wagering on Dallas in the Flames vs Stars series odds. The team’s top line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski has scored 46% of Dallas’ goals this season. As the top line goes, so do the Stars.

Dallas’ x-factor versus Calgary is young goalie Jake Oettinger, who is 30-15-1 with a .914 save percentage and 2.53 GAA. Considering the weapons on Calgary’s offense, this series could be over quickly if Oettinger doesn’t bring his A-game.

Flames vs Stars Series Pick

Flames vs Stars features of the most lopsided betting lines in the NHL Playoffs odds, so you should only bet the favorite if you’re very confident. When you analyze the head-to-head matchup, there’s not much data pointing to a potential upset.

Flames vs Stars Head-to-Head Stats

Flames
VS
Stars
2-0-1 Head-To-Head 1-2-0
52-25-7 NHL Regular Season Record 49-29-11
3.55 (6th) Goals For/GP 2.84 (21st)
2.51 (3rd) Goals Against/GP 2.98 (14th)
22.9% (10th) Power Play 22.4% (11th)
83.2% (6th) Penalty Kill 79% (19th)

Dallas’ lack of goalscoring is a major issue against defense and goaltending as strong as Calgary’s. Even if the Stars manage to generate a healthy amount of power-play opportunities, it’s hard to see them converting much given the Flames’ stout PK.

It’s not a fluke Darryl Sutter has coached two teams to Stanley Cups. The veteran bench boss gets his players to play a style of hockey that is made for success in the postseason. The Stars play a similar style to some extent, but they lack the firepower of the Flames deep roster.

After a regular season like the one the Flames had, superstars Gaudreau and Tkachuk aren’t about to fizzle out once again in the playoffs against a team that barely made the postseason. Bet the Flames series line at -300 before the price goes up even higher.

Pick: Flames to Win Series (-305)


NHL PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEWS:

NHL FIRST-ROUND SERIES PREVIEWS:

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