Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Stars vs Avalanche Odds
Looking for Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche free hockey plays? NHL betting sees the Stars taking on the Avalanche on Saturday December 3rd at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(9-10-6) Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (9-12-1)
Date: Saturday December 3rd
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds:
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds:
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Live NHL Odds
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Both Dallas and Colorado sit amongst the bottom of the ranks in the Central Division, which can certainly be attributed to their goals against, and moreover their respective goal differentials.
Colorado currently has a -17 goal differential on the year, which certainly isn’t good, but it’s not as bad as Dallas’ mark of -22.
Interesting that the Stars’ worse goal differential has seen them earn five more points than the Avs, although Dallas does have six overtime losses which can reflect their five point difference overall.
Dallas Stars
Dallas has allowed a total of 85 goals against this season, which is the highest amount of any team in the NHL. The Stars were highest scoring team in the league last year, but now rank 18th in goals per game at 2.5, compared to last years’ mark of 3.0.
It’s clear that the goaltending situation has not been resolved in Texas, with Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen still manning the crease, and making a combined salary north of the $9-million mark.
Neither of the goalies have a .905 SV% or better this season, and if Dallas wants to contend, GM Jim Nill is going to have to find a way to solve this issue, likely via trade or an off-season signing.
The defense in front of the two goalies generally doesn’t help them out much. The loss of Kris Russell has proved to be much more critical than anticipated, and the aging Dan Hamhuis hasn’t been able to effectively replace the astute shot-blocker.
Jyrki Jokipakka was dealt in a deal last season to the Calgary Flames, and could certainly be used to help boost the current defensive unit in Dallas.
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The top forwards have done their part for, though Jamie Benn hasn’t quite produced at a level that saw him gather 89 points last season.
Tyler Seguin leads the squad in scoring with 25 points in 25 games this year, and Benn has picked up his production after a slow start to now have a total of 20 points.
The Stars need more from Jason Spezza and Patrick Sharp, who had 63 and 55 points last season, respectively, but now have just 10 and two.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are surprisingly low in the ranks for goals per game, sitting in 28th overall, scoring an average of just 2.2 per game. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team in scoring with just 15 points, followed closely by Matt Duchene and his 14.
It’s never ideal for the leading goal scorer on a team to be Rene Bourque, but such is the case for Colorado this season.
Bouque has netted eight goals on the year for his new team, who have scored three or fewer goals in every game aside from three this season, two being their first two games of the year.
The young nucleus should be a good one for the future, with MacKinnon and Duchene leading the way, joined by Gabriel Landeskog, Tyson Barrie, Mikko Rantanen and Mikhail Grigorenko.
The Avs only have six players with double digit point totals, two of which are defenseman; they will certainly need some more offensive output going forward if they want a shot at moving up the standings.
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Seymon Varlamov handles the starting gig in Colorado, appearing in 15 games this season and holdings a .905 SV% and 3.09 GAA. His backup, Calvin Pickard, is the goalie of the future in waiting for the Avs and has vastly outplayed him this season.
Pickard has posted a .920 SV% and 2.44 GAA, and it may be sooner than later that the team makes a change to the lead man.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- The Stars have rank dead last in goals allowed per game at 3.4
- The Avalanche are 4-7-1 at home
Free Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche NHL Hockey Prediction
While the Stars and Avs haven’t scored a ton this year, each have also had trouble keeping the puck out of their own net. The Stars are last in the category, allowing an average of 3.4 goals per game, and the Avs are not far ahead of them, allowing 3.0.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Over 5.5
I know, I know, the goals per game both rank in the bottom half of the league for both of these teams, but considering that the teams have allowed for a combined 6.4 goals per game on average, I like the over here.
I believe both teams have underperformed their true talent levels on offense and can see this being a positive regression game.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Dallas- 4 Colorado-3
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