Golden Knights vs. Stars odds, expert picks, storylines: Dallas looks to tie series

Say this for the Dallas Stars: They have been consistent in how they have opened series this postseason. They have played three Game 1s, and they have lost all of them in overtime including Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference final.

So far, they have bounced back with a win in Game 2 and a series win in each of the first two rounds.

They enter Game 2 in Vegas on Sunday as a slight underdog to the Golden Knights. The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals. Puck drop is at 3 p.m. ET Sunday from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be televised nationally on ABC, CBC and Sportsnet.

Let’s get to the picks.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NHL coverage is linked below the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and update live. Looking for tickets for tonight’s game? Find deals on StubHub.

Game 2 – Stars at Golden Knights

Vegas leads series 1-0

3 p.m. on ABC, CBC, SN

The Golden Knights have used a dominant offense to win nine of their first 12 games this postseason, averaging 3.75 goals per game. They have also scored at least four goals in each of those nine wins.

Vegas has used a balanced offensive attack with 14 different goal-scorers, including six players that have already scored at least four goals in only 12 playoff games. William Karlsson, Jack Eichel and Chandler Stephenson have led the way with at least six goals goals (Karlsson has seven, while Eichel and Stephenson both have six).

The Stars, meanwhile, have been led by their dynamic top line of Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz. That trio has been one of the NHL’s best lines for two years and has continued its dominance into the playoffs. When that trio has been on the ice together, they have already combined for 11 goals in all situations while also outsourcing their opponents by a 6-1 margin in 70 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time together.

Hintz has been especially dominant, entering play on Tuesday with 10 goals and a league-leading 22 total points.

The big wild card will be in the net where the Stars would seem to have the advantage with Jake Oettinger. But he has yet to find his stride this postseason and enters Game 2 with only a .902 save percentage in 14 games. He has failed to top an .896 game mark in seven of his 14 starts.

He is capable of more, and if he gets back to the level we have seen from him the past two years – and especially in last year’s playoffs – the Stars should be an extremely tough out given their offense.

Adin Hill has played some of the best hockey of his career over the past five games with a .930 save percentage and 4-1 record this postseason. Goaltending was the one big question mark for the Golden Knights this season, especially following the injury to Logan Thompson. But they have managed to piece together a formidable position with Hill and Laurent Broissoit to get them within three wins of the Stanley Cup Final.