There may be no more exciting goaltending matchup across the opening round of the 2022 NHL Playoffs than what we will see in the Stars vs Flames series. It’s youth versus experience in a battle between two elite players who share the same name. The Flames have played themselves into a Stanley Cup favorite and have far exceeded most anyone’s expectations entering the season. They are efficient on offense and excellent on defense, with a league-leading 11 shutouts on the year.
Let’s take a look at the betting odds and season history for the series, and give our Stars vs Flames NHL Playoffs prediction.
Stars vs Flames NHL Playoff Series Preview and Stream
NHL Playoffs Round 1
Stars vs Flames
Venue: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX / Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary, AB, CAN
Coverage: ESPN2 / TBS / TNT
Goaltending: DAL: Jake Oettinger (30-15-1/2.53/.914) | CGY: Jacob Markstrom (37-15-9/2.22/.922)
Stars vs Flames Record | Regular Season History
The regular season Stars vs Flames series was very competitive. The Flames slightly outshot the Stars and only managed to outscore them by two. Their most recent contest was less than two weeks ago and was an example of the type of games we will probably see in this series. The Flames won 4-2, with an empty-net goal as the cherry on top. Oettinger saw 13 more pucks than Markstrom, but he was able to top his save percentage. The Stars will play hard and keep games close but will fall just short as they did in the regular season.
Stars vs Flames NHL Playoff Series Betting Odds
NHL Betting odds for Stars vs Flames are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.
Moneyline: DAL: (+280) | CGY: (-340)
Series Total Games: 5.5 — Over: (-160) | Under: (+120) / 6.5 — Over: (+225) | Under: (-350)
Series Spread: DAL: +1.5 (+125) | CGY: -1.5 (-165) / DAL: -1.5 (+350) | CGY: +1.5 (-600)
Public Betting via Action Network: DAL: (18%) | CGY: (82%)
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: DAL: (+5000) | CGY: (+700)
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Stars vs Flames NHL Playoff Series Keys to Victory
Dallas Stars: To have a chance in this series, the Stars must figure out how to consistently beat Jacob Markstrom. Their average 30 shots on goal is not going to cut it against the Vezina Trophy finalist who anchors a defense allowing the third least goals in the league. The one thing Dallas does excel at is staying out of the box. They average just 6.7 penalty minutes per game, the lowest in the NHL. These games will be close, and close games are often won because of bad or excessive penalties. There is no room for error against a Flames team that is top-5 in every major stat category.
Calgary Flames: The Flames average a full goal more than they allow. Statistically, they pummel the Stars in all three phases of the game. Their key to victory in this series is not overthinking anything and playing the same style of hockey they have played all season. If they keep Markstrom healthy and out of harm’s way, take advantage of the few power-play opportunities they are afforded and play hard in front of the opposing cage, there is no reason Calgary should not be moving on in six games or less.
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Stars vs Flames NHL Playoff Series Prediction
The Dallas Stars are not a bad team. They have veteran leadership and a really good young goaltender. Not bad, however, pales in comparison to great. And great is what the Calgary Flames have been all season. There should be some good hockey games played in this series. It will not be heavily one-sided and the goalies are likely to put on a show.
In the end, though, we see the Flames winning those close games, and moving on without a real sweat. There is no great way to bet this series, as the Flames carry heavy juice. We see a 4-2 series outcome, which opens up two betting options for a reasonable price.
Our NHL betting Stars vs Flames playoff prediction will be Series Total Games Over 5.5 and Flames Series Spread at BetUS.
Stars vs Flames Prediction and NHL Playoffs Picks
Series Total Games – o5.5 (-160)
Calgary Flames – Series Spread -1.5 (-165)
*continue to check back on FlurrySports.org as more picks and updated odds will be available upon release*