Wild vs. Stars odds, predictions: two bets for Game 1

We have Wild vs. Stars odds and predictions as this Western Conference first-round playoff series begins.

The Stars underperformed for much of the season but ended the year on a six-game winning streak, so they have plenty of momentum entering this matchup.

Meanwhile, the Wild spent half the season dealing with key injuries, and they enter the playoffs having lost five of their final seven games.

Between momentum and depth, I’m looking to back the home side for Game 1 of this series.

Odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, current at the time of writing and subject to change.

Moneyline: Wild (+122) vs. Stars (-145)

Spread: Wild +1.5 (-225) vs. Stars -1.5 (+185)

Total: Over 5.5 (+100) | Under 5.5 (-125)

Dallas Stars ML (-145) | Play to (-150)

Under 5.5 (-120) | Play to 5.5 (-125)

The Stars have a suffocating defense. They finished second in the NHL in expected goals allowed while boasting the Western Conference’s top penalty kill unit.

Meanwhile, the Stars have one of the best young goalies in the NHL. Jake Oettinger finished the season eighth in the league in goals saved above expected and seventh in goals saved above average, posting a career-best save percentage in 61 starts (. 919).

Oettinger also enters this year’s playoffs after playing out of his mind during last year’s opening playoff series, an eventual loss to Calgary. Only Igor Shesterkin recorded more goals saved above expected, and it took New York’s goalie 13 more games. Overall, Oettinger posted a .955 save percentage and 13.3 goals saved above expected in the seven games, capping off Game 7 by saving 64 of 67 shots in an overtime loss.

Oettinger has proved he plays best when the lights are brightest, and that should scare the Wild.

Specifically, the Wild are one of the worst offenses in the NHL. While the Wild boast four top-level scorers, they also have zero depth behind them, generating positive offense maybe a third of the time.

To add insult, the Wild are dealing with injuries to John Klingberg and Joel Eriksson Ek.

The Wild are short-handed before injuries, so missing any stars severely harms their game-by-game hopes.

The Wild boast an elite defense and top-level goaltending tandem, but neither unit can compete with the Stars at stopping goals. And while the Stars are not an elite offense, they are at least league-average by most metrics.

So, we can reasonably expect the Stars to win in a low-scoring affair, and I’m willing to make that bet by taking Dallas and the under.

With all the momentum, I’m looking for Dallas to suffocate the Wild and pull out a 1-0 or 2-0 Game 1 victory on their home ice.