The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars meet again.
In the words of Lonestar from Spaceballs:
“So, at last, we meet for the first time for the last time.”
So, Dallas. #DALvsCOL #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Y9Ec7MTXiP
— Conor McGahey (@ConorMcGahey) August 21, 2020
The Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 7-1 for a 4-1 series win. The series-clinching game was on Wednesday. So there’s no rest for the weary in this unique version of the 2020 playoffs.
It’s an even shorter turnaround for the Stars, who knocked off the Calgary Flames 7-3 on Thursday for a 4-2 series win.
Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals is set for 6 p.m. MST today at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. That’s the home of the West playoffs and its “bubble.” The Eastern Conference is in Toronto.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar told the media that the team found out early Friday morning that the series would start on Saturday.
As for the series, this is the fifth time the Avalanche and Dallas will play in the playoffs, with the two teams splitting the first four series (2-2). The only other team Colorado has played more in the playoffs is the Detroit Red Wings, at six matchups.
As the Avalanche team website points out:
The Stars won the first two series in Game 7, the 1999 and 2000 Western Conference finals, while Colorado has come out on top in the previous two sets. The Avs beat Dallas in five games in both the 2004 and 2006 Western Conference quarterfinals, including upsetting then-No. 2 seed Dallas in their most recent best-of-seven meeting.
Avs vs. Stars odds
As it stands now, Colorado enters as the NHL betting favorite in its series with Dallas.
BetMGM Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel are a few of the CO online betting apps that like the Avalanche in this series.
| Avalanche vs Stars Western Conference semifinal odds | BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series winner | Avalanche -250 Stars +200 | Avalanche -225 Stars +185 | Avalanche -215 Stars +174 |
Game one odds
Colorado is also the favorite to win Game 1. Since the Stars swept the season series with Colorado and ousted the Flames, it’s a little bit of surprise.
But when you consider how the Avalanche rolled the final two games against Arizona, it makes complete sense.
In terms of the Western Conference champion and Stanley Cup winner, the Avalanche remain a futures betting favorite there as well.
| Avalanche vs Stars Game One odds | BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point spread | Avalanche -1.5 +165 Stars +1.5 -200 | Avalanche -1.5 +155 Stars +1.5 -190 | Avalanche -1.5 +150 Stars +1.5 -175 |
| Moneyline | Avalanche -176 Stars +145 | Avalanche -175 Stars +145 | Avalanche -170 Stars +150 |
| Total goals scored | Over 5.5 +110 Under 5.5 -134 | Over 5.5 +114 Under 5.5 -137 | Over 5.5 +120 Under 5.5 -140 |
Conn Smythe Trophy odds
To carry on this theme, it should come as no surprise that Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon remains the favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the playoffs). Though fellow center Nazem Kadri could give MacKinnon a run for his money given his incredible start to the playoffs.
MacKinnon currently leads the Stanley Cup Playoffs in assists (nine) and points (13). Kadri is tied for the lead in playoff goals with six.
As of Saturday morning, MacKinnon was at +550 on DraftKings, followed by Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (+1,000) and Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart (+1,100). Kadri is at +1,300.
Other members of the Avalanche with odds for the trophy include:
- Defenseman Cale Makar (+2,400)
- Right wing Mikko Rantanen (+2,700)
- Captain and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (+3,200)
Let's keep that rolling!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/U6ngcXyeXs
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 21, 2020
Familiar foes
If you’re looking for what to expect in this series from a fan and NHL betting perspective, expect a battle.
Yes, it’s cliche, but it’s also the truth.
There’s no question that Colorado is on a roll right now.
The Avalanche are confident and playing incredible hockey — offensively, defensively and in nets. They’re rolling all four lines and getting scoring from all of their forwards and the defense is contributing.
What gives Colorado confidence is how it responded to adversity in that series with the Coyotes. After a tough 4-2 loss in Game 3, the Avalanche responded with consecutive 7-1 wins in the next two games.
The Stars will look to take away Colorado’s speed and clog up the ice as much as possible.
In both the offensive and defensive zones, Dallas will hit and punish anything that moves.
The goal is to make it as difficult as possible for the Avalanche. The Stars want to frustrate Colorado and try to goad the players to take dumb penalties.
The Avalanche have to remain disciplined and focused.
Who wants it more?
Few teams in the NHL can match the speed and forward depth that the Avalanche possesses.
What gets overlooked is how good they are on defense — and not just the contributions offensively.
Colorado has the ability to shut teams down.
When you add how well Philipp Grubauer is playing in goal, you see why this team is rolling and playing with so much confidence.
But anything can and usually does happen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
When you have division rivals who play so often and know each so well, it comes down to who wants it more.
“So, at last, we meet for the first time for the last time.”
