The Dallas Stars are just one win away from sending the defending Stanley Cup champions home early.
They’ll get their chance Thursday night in Colorado, where they’ll face the Avalanche in Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.
Dallas is riding high after a dominant 6-2 win in Game 5, but closing out a championship team on their home ice won’t be easy.
The oddsmakers agree. Colorado is heavily favored at -193, while Dallas comes in as a +160 underdog.
All eyes will be on Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche superstar who led the NHL in assists this season. He’s been relatively quiet lately though – after a hot start to the series, he’s managed just one point per game over the last four contests.
That’s a far cry from his regular season form, when he was practically unstoppable as the league’s second-highest point scorer.
If the Stars can’t finish the job Thursday, they’ll get another chance back home in Dallas for Game 7.
The betting total is set at 6 goals, with the Over slightly favored at -120.
Some interesting player trends to watch:
- MacKinnon has gone under his points total in his last five home games
- Brock Nelson, who came over from the Islanders mid-season, is averaging 3.4 shots per game at home
- Trade deadline pickup Martin Necas has been aggressive lately, going over 1.5 shots in most of his recent games against winning teams
The Avalanche aren’t going down without a fight. They’ve got championship experience and one of the most talented rosters in hockey.
But Dallas has all the momentum. And in playoff hockey, that can mean everything.
If there is a Game 7, it would be back in Dallas where the Stars have been nearly unbeatable lately.
