Many pundits are saying that the eventual winner of Lord Stanley’s mug will come out of the
Central Division. Three teams surpassed 100 points and now the defending champs cross over
from the Pacific making this side of the bracket an absolute crapshoot.
Stars vs Golden Knights
Vegas Golden Knights
Strength
The Golden Knights swept the season series 3-0, outscoring the Stars 11-4. The reigning
Stanley Cup champions added more fire power at the deadline and they’ve begun to settle in
perfectly. They’re led by Jonathan Marchessault who hit a career high with 42 goals this season
and was named the 2023 Conn Smythe trophy winner last year as playoff MVP.
Weakness
They don’t have a clear number one in net with both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson splitting the
past six starts. Even though both netminders posted similar numbers as Oettinger, it’s risky
flipping between players in the pipes. After a historic regular season, Boston used this method
in last year’s postseason and were knocked out by Florida in the first round.
Dallas Stars
Strength
The Stars have incredible depth with a lethal top nine and eight 20-plus goal scorers on the
roster. Their so-called “third-line” center Wyatt Johnston led the team in regular season goals
with 32.
Weakness
It’s tough to snuff out an actual weakness with this club but goaltender Jake Oettinger struggled
in each meeting with the Golden Knights. He finished the season series with a 3.21 goals
against average and a .885 save percentage.
Current Series Odds
VGK +110
Stars -130
Season Series
October 17: Dallas 2 @ Vegas 3
November 22: Vegas 2 @ Dallas 1
December 7: Vegas 6 @ Dallas 1
Jets vs Avalanche
Winnipeg Jets
Strength
The Jets ran away with this season series 3-0 while outscoring the Avalanche 17-4 this year.
Winnipeg has the Vezina favorite in between the pipes for them in Connor Hellebuyck. He
matched his 37 wins from last season but got there in four fewer starts.
Weakness
There’s nothing flashy about the Jets. They have the worst power play among playoff teams
with a 18.8% success rate on the season.
Colorado Avalanche
Strength
They’re sporting a potential Hart Trophy winner in 51 goal scorer Nathan MacKinnon who broke
the franchise record for most points in a season with 138. He’s backed up by Mikko Rantanen
who put up 41 goals and 103 points on the year. They have the fifth-best power play which is
clicking at a 24.5% conversion rate.
Weakness
They’re giving up 3.10 goals against on the year and Alexandar Georgiev has been shaky over
the past month. He’s allowed at least four goals against in six of his last eight starts.
Current Series Odds
Avs -130
Jets +110
Season Series
December 7: Winnipeg 4 @ Colorado 2
December 16: Colorado 2 @ Winnipeg 6
April 13: Winnipeg 7 @ Colorado 0
For the latest NHL odds visit BetOnline.