NHL Playoffs Avalanche vs Stars Picks and Odds, April 19, 2025

We’re going to go ahead and call this series, “the Battle of Mikko”. We couldn’t have been dealt a better 1st round matchup than the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars. These 2 teams met 3 times this season and the Avs won 2 out of the 3 games. Let’s get some background and get into the Avalanche vs Stars picks.

Colorado finished the season 49-29-4 and 3rd in the Central Division. They come into this game off a win in their last regular season game and were 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. This Avs team is comfortable wherever they play, ending the season with a 23-17-1 record on the road.

We all know how offense heavy this team is. Even with shipping off one of their biggest offensive weapons in Mikko Rantanen, the Avs were able to fill the void with Martin Necas and Brock Nelson. Put them along with Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin and these team is even more dangerous.

Cale Makar continues to lead this team on defense. He finished the year with 30 goals and 62 assists. Devon Toews has been a key role player for this Avalanche defense as well. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is expected in net for Game 1. He had a 28-21-6 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

Dallas will look to take Game 1 on home ice tonight

Stars forward Wyatt Johnston looks to break free from Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews.

Dallas finished with a 50-26-6 record and 2nd in the Central Division. They lost their last game of the season to the Predators, but they were resting for the playoffs. The Stars do have a lot to figure out as they did not end the season well.

Not only do they come into this game off a loss, but they’ve currently lost their last 7 straight games. Totally the opposite of where you want to be at the start of the playoffs. It doesn’t help that they drew the Avs as their first matchup either.

The Stars landed Mikko Rantanen from the Hurricanes after he was dealt there from the Avalanche. This definitely adds a whole another layer to this matchup as Dallas will definitely want to win this series with Mikko on their team.

Goalie Jake Oettinger is expected to start Game 1. Oetty was 36-18-4 this season with a 2.59 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He went 1-1 in his 2 starts vs the Avs this year, so he is more than familiar with his division rival. Let’s check out the odds and get into the picks.

Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars Betting Odds and Game Information

Avalanche vs Stars Betting Odds

Puck Line

Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+180)
Dallas Stars +1.5 (-235)

Moneyline

Colorado Avalanche -135
Dallas Stars +115

Totals

Over 5.5 (-125)
Under 5.5 (+105)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Avalanche vs Stars Game Information

Venue: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX
Date: Saturday April 19, 2025
Puck Drop: 8:30pm EST
TV: TNT

Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars Prediction and Picks

Stars forward Matt Duchene takes the puck into the Avalanche zone defended by Cale Makar.

Avalanche vs Stars Picks and Predictions: Game Total Over 5.5 Goals (-125) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

These 2 offenses are ridiculous with the way they play. Fast paced, skilled passing and elite shooting. They already showed this year that they can get the best of each other scoring wise. All 3 matchups this year cleared this 5.5 easily and we’re getting decent value at -125.

Dallas has very good defense, but Colorado just has their number. I expect for things to kind of go back and forth, and not necessarily one team playing catch up. The Mikko Rantanen situation fuels a bit of competitiveness out of both teams and that usually translates to offense.

Speaking of him, I like for Rantanen to record 3 or more shots on goals. We’re getting ridiculous value, which makes me think it’s a trap, but I can’t not bite at +148. He should very easily hit this number, but make sure to read the rules of your sportsbooks for shots on goal – some don’t count overtime.

The other prop I like is Wyatt Johnston to record 1 or more points for -115. He was one of the best offensive players on this team this season and we’re getting such good value. Again, may be a trap, but he had a point in all 3 games they played this season and 2 out his last 3 games to end the season.