The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and on May 19th, the Dallas Stars will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of their second-round matchup. Both teams had impressive showings in the first round, with the Stars defeating the Nashville Predators in six games and the Golden Knights sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks.
As we look ahead to this exciting matchup, let’s take a closer look at the odds, lines, and predictions for Game 1.
Odds and Lines
According to Odds Shark, the Golden Knights are currently favored to win Game 1, with odds of -155. The Stars, on the other hand, have odds of +135. The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals.
It’s worth noting that these odds and lines can change leading up to the game based on a variety of factors, including injuries, lineup changes, and betting trends.
Predictions
So, who will come out on top in Game 1? It’s tough to say for sure, as both teams have plenty of talent and momentum heading into this matchup.
The Golden Knights have been one of the most dominant teams in the league this season, finishing with a record of 39-24-8. They also have a strong playoff history, having made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season just two years ago.
Meanwhile, the Stars have been a bit more inconsistent this season, finishing with a record of 37-24-8. However, they showed plenty of grit and determination in their first-round series against the Predators, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win four straight games and advance to the second round.
Ultimately, this game could come down to goaltending. The Golden Knights have Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes, who has been one of the best goalies in the league for years. The Stars, meanwhile, have Anton Khudobin, who has been solid in the playoffs so far but doesn’t have the same level of experience as Fleury.
If Khudobin can continue to play at a high level and the Stars can find a way to score on Fleury, they could pull off an upset in Game 1. However, if the Golden Knights’ offense gets going early and Fleury shuts down the Stars’ attack, Vegas could come away with a convincing win.
Overall, this should be an exciting and closely contested matchup between two talented teams. Fans of both squads will be eagerly tuning in to see who comes out on top in Game 1, and the rest of the series should be just as thrilling.
