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Avalanche vs. Stars Predictions & Odds: Today's NHL Playoffs Expert Picks

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: May 9, 2024 7:30 PM EDT • 2 min 63 sec read.

Valeri Nichushkin (13) celebrates with Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars, as we offer our Avalance vs. Stars expert picks for Thursday's Game 2 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Valeri Nichushkin (13) celebrates with Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 7, 2024 in Dallas. Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images via AFP.

The Colorado Avalanche face the Dallas Stars after a stunning comeback win in Game 1, as we offer our Avalanche-Stars picks and predictions for Game 2 based on the best NHL odds. 

After falling behind 3-0, the Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7) answered with four straight goals to stun the Dallas Stars (52-21-9) in an overtime road win in Game 1. Yet the host Stars remain the favorites across our best sports betting sites to win Game 2, with tonight's puck drop set for 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT/Sportsnet from American Airlines Center.

While Dallas' setback in Game 1 affected the team's Stanley Cup odds, Peter DeBoer's squad remains buoyant, having won four out of five games to conclude its first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Will we see a similar showing from the Stars in this spot?

Accompanying our Rangers vs. Hurricanes predictions and our Panthers vs. Bruins predictions, here are our best Avalanche vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 expert picks

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Avalanche vs. Stars predictions for Thursday 

Artturi Lehkonen Over 2.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐

Artturi Lehkonen led the Avalanche in shots through the first round against the Winnipeg Jets, firing 19 on Connor Hellebuyck in five games. He was shooting as rapidly as an overly confident tyke at a basketball pickup game, notching seven, five, and four shots in the first three games. Lehkonen has since cooled his shooting jets, going Under in the last two contests. 

That makes me think he's in for a resurgent Game 2, at least in the shots department. Despite his last two outings, in which he had one and two shots, Lehkonen is averaging 3.7 per game in the postseason, hitting the Over in four of six contests. At -115, DraftKings offers the best value. A $10 bet will pay a profit of $8.70 if it hits and has an implied probability of 53.49%. 

Best odds: -115 via DraftKings

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Jamie Benn Over 0.5 points ⭐⭐⭐

Jamie Benn flew out of the gates in Game 1, notching two points in the opening 17 minutes. The Stars' captain needs another solid performance for his team to avoid going down 0-2 in the series. Benn had four points in four regular-season contests against the Avs and is worth backing at BetMGM's -115 odds. 

BetMGM and DraftKings offer the best value of our best sports betting apps. bet365 offers -120, and Caesars offers -124. A $10 wager will pay a profit of $8.70 if it hits and has an implied winning probability of 53.49%.

Best odds: -115 via BetMGM

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Miro Heiskanen Over 2.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Miro Heiskanen is quickly becoming one of the NHL's best defensemen. His elite skill, elusiveness, explosive speed, and ability to create space along the blue line have most opponents chasing shadows. Heiskanen has at least three shots in five of eight playoff games, including a run of three in a row. He doesn't shoot a ton but usually does just enough to break the 2.5-shot threshold. 

FanDuel offers a mouthwatering +122 for this prop. Those plus-money odds facilitate a profit of $12.20 on a winning $10 bet, implying a 45.05% winning probability. 

Best odds: +122 via FanDuel

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Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 info & odds

  • When: Thursday, May 8
  • Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
  • How to watch: TNT, Sportsnet
  • Favorite: Stars (-128 via FanDuel)

Avalanche-Stars predictions made Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson is a sports writer specializing in hockey, soccer, NFL, and tennis coverage. He has 10 years of industry experience and has contributed to various publications, including BetMGM, Covers.com, the Hockey Writers, Yardbarker, NJ.com, the Miami Herald, the Canadian Press, and the Calgary Herald.