Avalanche vs. Stars Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Tonight

The Colorado Avalanche were as opportunistic as they come in Game 1 against the Dallas Stars as we offer our prediction and best bets for Monday's Game 2.

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: April 21, 2025 4:34 PM EDT • 6 minute read

Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 Prediction, NHL Odds & Player Props — Pictured: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn fights for position in front of the goal as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson defends. Photo by Raymond Carlin III via Imagn Images.

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Facing the tough reality of a potential 0-2 series deficit, the Dallas Stars look to bounce back in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center (ESPN).

Though Colorado earned a convincing 5-1 win in Game 1, the final score didn’t tell the full story of a more competitive matchup. Our Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 prediction and NHL picks take a closer look at Dallas’ performance and whether the Stars are the right side to back in a crucial response spot.

👉 For more playoff predictions and expert picks, check out: Stanley Cup Predictions and odds.

📡 How to watch Avalanche vs. Stars live (Game 2)

📅 Monday, April 21
🕗 9:30 p.m. ET
📍 American Airlines Center (Dallas)
📺 ESPN, Sportsnet 360 | 🛜 ESPN+, Sportsnet+

📊 Best Avalanche vs. Stars odds, records, stats & trends - Monday, April 21

📈 Check out our Stars vs. Avalanche matchup page for full team stats and betting line history.

💡 Avalanche vs. Stars predictions, expert picks & best bets: Game 2

✅ Against the spread pick: Stars +1.5 (-200 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Stars (+125 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 6.5 goals (-134 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 prediction

Stars 3, Avalanche 2

📰 Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 preview

The thought of going down 0-2 with the series turning back to Colorado for Game 3 should scare the McJesus out of the Stars. Losing Game 2 - particularly considering their inferior form on enemy terrain - would surely expedite the Stars' Round 1 downfall. Do I think the Stars can win the series?

No, unequivocally.

However, the Stars - the Stanley Cup odds favorites just two weeks ago - are too proud and fought doggedly all season for the right to host Games 1 and 2. While I have no doubt it won't be aesthetically pleasing, I'm backing the Stars to conjure an enormous performance to tie the series at one game apiece.

Will it be sustainable beyond Game 2?

No, unequivocally.

The Stars were better than the Game 1 score reflected

Despite playing without Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen while attempting to overcome their Game 1 curse, the Stars were unfortunate not to win the opener. Mackenzie Blackwood's Superman-like playoffs debut and the Avs' ruthless opportunism sealed Dallas' fate.

The Stars won the expected goals battle 3.84 to 3.64, thwarted by three or four world-class Blackwood saves. Meanwhile, Artturi Lehkonen scored the opener on an unintended scissors kick Cristiano Ronaldo would have been envious of.

Then, Nathan MacKinnon ground the salt into the Stars' wound, with his shot fortuitously deflecting past Jake Oettinger for the all-important second goal.

After Roope Hintz made it 2-1, Devon Toews scored the backbreaker just over six minutes later.

Game, set, match.

Did I mention Blackwood? His first playoff game couldn't have gone better as he finished with 2.84 goals saved above expected.

The Stars have lost eight straight opening games of a playoff series. Before you regurgitate out of disgust, let this sink in: Dallas is 5-2 in the following game. Expect them to make it 6-2 thanks to a heroic performance from every member of the collective.

✅ Best bet: Stars ML (+125 via DraftKings)

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🥅 Best NHL player prop bets for Avalanche vs. Stars: Game 2

🔎 Our NEW NHL player prop odds tool can help you find the best NHL odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!

🚨 Jamie Benn Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐

The Stars need a captain's response from Benn, who was held to one shot on goal in Game 1. Benn has only one shot in the last two games against the Avs, but should be at his best for Game 2. While I don't expect the 35-year-old to blow the roof off American Airlines Center, he should have enough spirit and fight to muster two.

Benn fired at least two shots on goal in five of the previous seven games against the Avalanche and hit the Over against them in the final three games of last season's series. A winning $10 bet at FanDuel will profit $8.77.

💰 Best odds: -114 via FanDuel

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Jamie Benn player prop odds

🚨 Wyatt Johnston Over 0.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Johnston must shoulder even more of the offensive burden without the injured Robertson. He notched an assist in Game 1, his sixth straight game against the Avs with at least one.

He amassed eight assists in his previous five regular-season games against Colorado and was one of the most dangerous Stars in the opener. BetMGM and DraftKings offer the longest odds (-115) of our best sports betting apps, where a $10 bet would profit $8.70.

💰 Best odds: -115 via BetMGM

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Wyatt Johnston player prop odds

🚨 Nathan MacKinnon Over 0.5 assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

MacKinnon dominated every facet of Game 1, scoring two goals while adding a helper. By now, we shouldn't expect anything less. I backed him to get an assist in the opener, and I'm doing the same in Game 2, despite believing the Avs will be held to one, maybe two goals.

FanDuel easily has the best price, where a winning $10 bet would pocket $8.20.

💰 Best odds: -122 via FanDuel

Nathan MacKinnon player prop odds

🚀 Best same-game parlay (SGP) for Avalanche vs. Stars: Game 2

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📈 Live Avalanche vs. Stars odds & Game 2 betting lines

Latest Avalanche vs. Stars odds from our best sports betting sites.

🪧 Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 opening odds

Opening odds via BetMGM.

Puck line: Avalanche -1.5 (+155) | Stars +1.5 (-190)
Moneyline: Avalanche (-160)| Stars (+135)
Over/Under: Over 6 (-130) | Under 6 (+100)

🚑 Avalanche vs. Stars injury report & lineup notes: Game 2

🧠 Stanley Cup predictions, expert picks

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Written by:
Gary Pearson

Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, specializes in writing about the NFL, hockey, and soccer, focusing on player props, game predictions, and futures plays. Most often utilizing FanDuel and bet365, the latter of which usually provides better early odds, he looks for a perfect-storm combo of in-form players who fare historically well against the opponent in question. He has contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, The Hockey Writers, The Hockey News, The Calgary Herald, and other publications. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Griffith University.