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Stars vs Avalanche Game 7 Odds & Pick – Sep. 4

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in NHL Hockey

Updated Mar 10, 2021 · 12:49 PM PST

Colorado Avalanche players Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Samuel Girard celebrating on the ice after scoring a goal during a NHL game.
Colorado's Cale Makar (8) celebrates with teammates Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Samuel Girard (49) after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
  • The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are tied 3-3 in their second-round playoff series
  • Nathan MacKinnon extended his point streak to 14 games in Colorado’s series-tying victory on Wednesday
  • All signs point to the Avalanche completing the three-game comeback and punching their ticket to the next round in Game 7 on Friday (Sep. 4th)

There’s nothing better than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Thanks to Colorado’s impressive performance in Game 6, we’ll get to see just that on Friday, September 4th, when the Avalanche and Dallas Stars play the deciding game of their best-of-seven series

Game 7 will be the Stars’ third chance to close out the series, and I don’t like their chances.

Stars vs Avalanche Game 7 Odds

Team Puck Line Over/Under Moneyline at DraftKings
Dallas Stars +1.5 (-240) O 6 (-104) +114
Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+195) U 6 (-118) -132

Odds as of Sep. 2nd.

Much like they were in Game 6, the Avalanche are again listed as the favorites. Not only do I see them capping the comeback in Game 7, I see them doing it in style. Here’s the case for betting Colorado on the puckline at+195 in the series finale.

Do You Want to Bet Against Nathan MacKinnon?

I’m not sure the Dallas Stars want to bet against Nathan MacKinnon at this point. The Avalanche have played 14 games since the re-start and MacKinnon has tallied 9 goals and 16 assists. He has exactly zero games without recording a point and eight in which he’s recorded two or more. He’s the best player on the planet right now and it isn’t close.

Game 7’s have the “do or die” cliche attached to them, and if I had to play one game for my life, I’d want MacKinnon on my team. He’s not just racking up points, he’s controlling the play. There isn’t a shift he’s on the ice that you don’t notice him and that’s who I want in my corner with everything on the line. I expect him to record his ninth multipoint game of the playoffs on Friday.

Michael Hutchinson Rising to the Occasion

Michael Hutchinson was the third Avalanche goalie to get a chance in this series and the Colorado brass must be happy with their decision. He’s made three appearances and now owns a 2-0 record with a sparkling .938 save percentage. Yes, he’s the same goalie that was run out of town by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he appears to have found something in the NHL bubble.

You don’t need to trust Hutchinson to win two more series and a Stanley Cup, all you need to believe is this hot streak will last one more game. He’s a pending UFA who could find himself with an NHL contract if he keeps up this solid play. Colorado has enough offense to cover up mistakes; they just need one more above-average performance from Hutchinson and he’s capable of that.

Consider the Value on the Puckline

Betting the puckline is mighty tempting when you look at the Stars vs Avalanche odds. Coaches are often much more aggressive with pulling their goalie in a must-win game. If the Avalanche are nursing a lead, they’ll likely see extended time against an open net. My advice would be to trust both MacKinnon and Hutchinson, and bet on Colorado to ice the series in style with an impressive victory.

The Pick: Colorado Avalanche Puckline (+195)

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