It doesn’t get much better than this for hockey fans. How about a double Game 7? Time to take the afternoon off and head home early to see which two teams will advance to the Western Conference finals.
Both the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights had 3-1 series leads only to allow the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks, respectively, to come back and tie the series. Which two teams will prevail? Better yet, where should bettors be looking today?
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Canucks vs. Golden Knights Predictions
The Canucks looked as if they were doomed after a 5-3 loss in Game 4 that gave Vegas a commanding 3- 1 NHL playoffs conference semifinals series lead. Then, Vancouver dug deep and pulled a 2-1 victory in Game 5. Goalie Thatcher Demko then stopped every shot he faced in Game 6 and the Canucks won 4-0.
With Vancouver on fire, bettors might be inclined to back the underdog Canucks on the moneyline at +190. Don’t fall for the trap.
Consider each team’s record in games on consecutive nights. Vegas is a very respectable 8-3 on the second night of a back-to-back. Vancouver’s second night record? A pretty mediocre 5-5-1.
Don’t forget, there was a back-to-back in this series already. That was the 5-3 Game 4 win by Vegas. Any time you have a short turnaround, the team with more talent usually prevails. That’s Vegas.
The Golden Knights are a heavy -230 favorite, but they are the better team playing on the second night of back-to-back games.
Stars vs. Avalanche Predictions
An avalanche is coming in the Colorado-Dallas series. In fact, the avalanche has already started. Heading into the NHL postseason, Colorado was a favorite to capture the Stanley Cup. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen were among those Avs that were back and 100 percent healthy.
Still, the Avs found themselves down 3-1 to their nemesis Dallas. The Stars owned Colorado all season long winning all four regular season games before the Avs beat Dallas 4-0 in round-robin play.
Then Dallas put it to Colorado in Games 1 and 2 of their playoff series. With a 5-4 win in Game 4, Dallas had what seemed to be an insurmountable 3-1 lead. Then came Michael Hutchinson.
The Colorado goalie stopped 27 shots in Game 6 as the Avalanche turned the tables on the Stars. Unlike the Vegas-Vancouver series, Colorado’s momentum will work to their favor. Remember, the team with more talent usually pulls through in crucial situations like a Game 7.
With Dallas having to go back to the drawing board, Colorado will ride their momentum and take Game 7. Back the Avs on the NHL moneyline at -130.
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Stars vs. Avalanche Game 7 Total Bet
Both Dallas and Colorado have scored a ton this series. The first five games of the series all totaled seven goals or more. This is Game 7 though and Dallas is well-known for its defense.
Game 6 saw five goals total – Colorado won 4-1 – and you can expect more of the same in Game 7. Despite their ability to score, look for a defensive battle in a crucial Game 7.
With the Total set at 6, I’m betting on the Under at -110.
