Stars vs Avalanche Picks and Prediction – 4/8/2024

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In a Central Division showdown, the Dallas Stars (48-19-9) clash with the Colorado Avalanche (48-23-6) at Ball Arena. Both teams are coming off differing fortunes in recent games, with Dallas riding a wave of victories, and Colorado facing some challenges. This matchup promises to be a battle of heavyweights with playoff implications. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Dallas Stars enter this game first in the Central Division, showcasing a robust form with a 5-game winning streak. Offensively, they are powered by Jason Robertson, who leads the team with 77 points, and Wyatt Johnston, the top goal scorer with 30 goals. Offensive depth is further evidenced by ranking second in the NHL with 278 goals for. 

On the defensive side, Jake Oettinger has been a cornerstone in the net, boasting a .903 save percentage and a 2.80 goals against average. The Stars' special teams are formidable, with an 8th-ranked power play at 24.1% and a 9th-ranked penalty kill at 81.9%. These stats underline a balanced threat, capable of dominating both ends of the ice.

The Colorado Avalanche, positioned just behind Dallas in the standings, also demonstrate offensive strength, leading the league with 285 goals. Nathan MacKinnon has been exceptional, accumulating an impressive 131 points from 48 goals and 83 assists. Despite offensive strength, the Avalanche's defense has shown some cracks, ranking 14th with 231 goals against. 

Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has a .900 save percentage and a 2.91 GAA, which are areas of concern against a high-scoring Dallas team. However, the special teams are slightly better than Dallas’, with a power play percentage of 24.4% and a penalty kill percentage of 82.7%, which could play a crucial role in this closely matched contest.