Stars vs Golden Knights Game 2 Betting Preview
Another Low Scoring, Physical Contest In the Works?
Dallas has momentum heading into Stars vs Golden Knights game 2 betting after taking a hard-fought series opener 1-0 as +138 underdogs. Both teams were playing the Western Conference Finals game one on a short turnaround after each needed a game 7 two days prior to get out of the semifinal round.
Vegas has fallen into an 0-1 hole despite being -154 favorites in game one. The Golden Knights were playing their third game in four nights on Sunday so maybe being recharged gives them an edge as -150 favorites on Tuesday? The Stars are +135 underdogs and oddsmakers are expecting another lower scoring game with a betting total of 5.5.
Can Stars Win Another Defensive Struggle?
Strangely enough, Dallas may have a better matchup in the Western Conference Finals than they did the previous round. The Stars were forced to win some high scoring games against Colorado in the Semifinals, scoring 4+ goals in five of the seven games. The Stars ranked 26th in the league in scoring during the regular season, but were 2nd in goals against.
Dallas has value at +775 to win this series and represent the West in the Stanley Cup Finals because the Stars have shown they can win high scoring games or defensive battles. Experts will talk about the Vegas depth which is impressive, but Dallas counters with Jamie Benn (9 points in semis), Alexander Radulov (5 goals vs. Colorado), Miro Heiskanen (13 points last 9 games), and the veteran presences of Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, and Corey Perry.
For as good as the Dallas offense can be (28 goals in 7 games vs. Avalanche) it’s their defense that is guiding Stars vs Golden Knights game 2 betting. Anton Khubodin is glad to see Colorado eliminated after allowing 4+ goals in three of his last four starts in the semifinals. The Stars goaltender stopped all 25 Vegas shots on Sunday night.
How Does Vegas Bounce Back?
The Golden Knights being shut out on Sunday is not an anomaly. Vegas looks like a team that has lost their offensive mojo at the most inopportune time as they have been held to 1 goal or less in three of the last four these playoffs.
Vegas being held to only 25 shots in game one is problematic in itself. In games five and six against Vancouver last round, the Golden Knights chucked up 48 and 43 shots against Cnucks rookie Thatcher Demko while only making one of them.
The total for game two between Vegas and Dallas has dropped slightly to 5.5. Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury got the nod against the Stars on Sunday and was good enough to win stopping 24 of 25 Dallas shots. You have to think Peter DeBoer goes back to Robin Lehner in game two though. Lehner had three shutouts in the series vs. Vancouver, but only faced 17, 22, and 14 shots over the last three of the semifinals.
Stars vs Golden Knights Game 2 Betting Free Pick
Dallas is a tough team to gauge coming into Tuesday nights tilt because they hung with Colorado in a number of high scoring games in the semifinals but shut down Vegas in game one. With the Golden Knights offense struggling and Lehner working on extra rest (likely) in net, expect another low scoring affair in game two.
Free Pick: Under 5.5
