Avalanche at Stars NHL Matchup
Bitter Central Division Battle on Thursday
Avalanche at Stars NHL Matchup
The Colorado Avalanche head south to Big D to take on a slumping Dallas Stars club that is missing some key pieces due to injuries within the lineup. Let’s take a look and breakdown some key factors for this contest between Central Division foes in this betting preview of Avalanche at Stars NHL Matchup for Thursday night down in Dallas.
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars 
Day/Time: Colorado Avalanche (24-11-3, 51 points) at Dallas Stars (22-10-4, 48 points)
Day/Time:
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Stream ESPN+/Live Sports Stream
| *Side | Total | Puck Line |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche +105 | 5.5 Over -125 | +1.5 -245 |
| Stars -115 | 5.5 Under +105 | -1.5 +200 |
Tough Terrain for the Avs?
The Colorado Avalanche head into this pivotal division matchup with the Dallas Stars on Thursday night leading the Central with 51 points, just three behind the Stars with three more games played than Dallas. The Avs have won five of their last six games overall, but they have been struggling on the road, dropping six of their last seven contests away from Denver.
Now they head to Dallas, where the club has had some solid success of late, winning three of their last four trips to American Airlines Center. The big three forwards for this club, Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, and Mikko Rantanen, account for 58 goals and 146 assists this season.
Their 204 points make up for 54.2% of the team’s total offensive production thus far, meaning in order to keep their pace atop the Central Division NHL Standings, they will need more scoring from their depth forwards and defensemen on nights when their “Big Three” can’t deliver.
Clouds Over Dallas?
The Dallas Stars have dropped down to third place in the NHL Central Division Standings after a tough 4-3 home loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. It was another start for veteran goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who is the starter while Jake Oettinger remains on Injured Reserve with a lower body issue.
Forward Jason Robertson scored his twelfth goal of the season late in the third period. The 24-year old speedster has two goals and four assists in his last four games, and will need to rally his top linemates, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski to elevate their game in the absence of their All-Star Netminder.
If Head Coach Peter DeBoar decides to sit Wedgewood for this game, it will be Matthew Murray making his season debut for the Stars in goal. The 25-year old Alberta native made three appearances in net for Dallas last year with a 1-2 record.
Avalanche at Stars Betting Odds
Sportsbooks have the hosting Dallas Stars NHL Odds to win as moderate favorites against the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night priced near -130.
Dallas has won five of their last seven NHL games overall and are on an 11-3 run against Central Division opponents. Meanwhile, Colorado has lost five of their last seven meetings against division foes, and six of their last seven away from Denver, despite winning five of their last six games overall. The Avs have won six of their last ten meetings with the Stars overall.
Concluding the Avalanche at Stars NHL Matchup Betting Preview: The total for this contest is set at 6.5 goals. Colorado has been trending to the Under in three of their last five games, but especially against the Stars, the Under has cashed in eleven of their last 15 meetings when in Dallas.
The Stars have been the opposite, going Over the total in eleven of their last 13 games overall, including ten straight Over the total at American Airlines Center. Look towards the First Period Over in this contest, as Dallas is on a 14-2 run with that prop in their last 16 games.
Check out all the updated Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars NHL Picks and Parlays, NHL standings, NHL Scores and Odds, lineups, futures, Stanley Cup odds, team stats, recent news and betting tips, right here at Point Spreads.
