The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here! Things get started in the Eastern Conference on Saturday before the Western Conference kicks off on Sunday. Let’s get into the Central Division playoff series and make picks and predictions for Stars vs. Golden Knights and Jets vs. Avalanche series.
After looking for our picks and predictions for the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, we’re moving over to the Western Conference playoff picks with the Central Division.
NHL Playoffs Central Division Odds, Picks, & Predictions
NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Dallas Stars surged up the standings to take first place in a competitive Central Division. Unfortunately, their reward for that is to face the reigning Stanley Cup champions in the first round. The Vegas Golden Knights dropped to the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference late in the season.
Stars vs. Golden Knights Odds
Dallas Stars (-140) | Vegas Golden Knights (+120)
Stars -1.5 Games (+158) | Golden Knights +1.5 Games (-170)
Over 5.5 Games (-172) | Under 5.5 Games (+140)
The Stars opened as slight favorites but have moved up to -140 on the series line.
Stars vs. Golden Knights Picks & Predictions
The Dallas Stars are the top seed in the Western Conference and appear to be built for the playoffs. They have a good mix of youth and veteran experience up front, with guys like Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and rookie Logan Stankoven joining grizzled veterans like Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, and Tyler Seguin.
On the blue line, Miro Heiskanen is one of the best in the game, and the Stars did well in adding Chris Tanev to the trade deadline. Of course, Jake Oettinger is the key for the Stars in net.
The Vegas Golden Knights are always a tough out in the playoffs. They’re likely getting Mark Stone back for this series, along with trade deadline additions Tomas Hertl, Noah Hanifin, and Anthony Mantha for some added punch.
The question mark for Vegas is in net. Adin Hill carried them to the Cup last year but has been in and out of the lineup this season. Logan Thompson had some decent stretches, but both netminders have some concerns.
The Stars ended the season 12-2-0 and 17-4-0 in their final 21 games. I don’t see them losing four of seven games to Vegas or potentially to anyone.
Stars vs. Golden Knights Pick: Dallas Stars (-140) + Over 5.5 Games (-172)
Stars vs. Golden Knights Prediction: Stars -1.5 Games (+158)
NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche stumbled down the stretch and missed out on the all-important home-ice advantage in this series. The Winnipeg Jets, on the other hand, won eight games in a row to finish out the regular season.
Jets vs. Avalanche Odds
Winnipeg Jets (+115) | Colorado Avalanche (-125)
Jets +1.5 Games (-165) | Avalanche -1.5 Games +142)
Over 5.5 Games (-185) | Under 5.5 Games (+152)
The Jets are the lone higher-seeded team to be the underdog in the series in the playoffs at +115.
This should be one hell of a series. But the wrong team might be favored.
Jets vs. Avalanche Picks & Predictions
The Winnipeg Jets swept the season series against the Colorado Avalanche, and it wasn’t particularly close. The Jets won 4-2 in Colorado and 6-2 at home back in December, but it was their meeting last weekend that is really telling.
With home-ice advantage on the line, the Avalanche had a chance to take it to their divisional rivals in Colorado. But it went the other way. The Jets blew out the Avalanche 7-0 to send a message heading into the playoffs.
The real difference in this series is in net. Connor Hellebuyck should run away with the Vezina Trophy for the Jets, while Alexandar Georgiev has huge holes for the Avalanche.
Sure, the Avs have more star power in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, but the depth favors the Jets. Winnipeg has three lines that they can outwork the Avs with and a fourth line that can grind as well.
Jets vs. Avalanche Pick: Jets to win series (+115)
Jets vs. Avalanche Prediction: Jets -1.5 Games (+225)
