The Calgary Flames have won back-to-back games to take charge of their first-round series against the Dallas Stars. Calgary holds a 3-2 lead over the Stars in the series, but Game 6 is back in Texas. This betting guide analyzes some of the best team plays for Friday’s pivotal contest.
Calgary Flames (-165) vs Dallas Stars (+140)
Flames Lead Series 3-2
The Calgary Flames look like they have some things figured out. After struggling to score to start the series, Calgary has scored seven goals in the last two games. That’s only one fewer than the Stars have scored in the entire series. They’ve been dominant the last two games, and not only from a scoring standpoint. Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom has stopped 54 of the last 56 shots he’s faced, and one of the two that got past him was a power-play tally.
It’s hard to go against the Flames in this spot. They’re getting tons of opportunities, piling up 127 shots over the past three games. Calgary was heavily favored to win the series before the playoffs started, and the Flames are starting to look the part. The Calgary moneyline is a bit steep (-165), making the Flames puck line (-1.5, +155) look like it has the most value. Every game but Game 1 has been decided by more than one goal, and there’s going to be a chance for an empty-netter if Dallas is trailing late.
Over/Under (Under 5.5, -135)
As much offense as the Flames have been able to generate recently, Dallas is still struggling. They’ve managed more than two goals just once in the five games and are just 2-for-20 on the power play. It’s a good thing they have netminder Jake Oettinger or Calgary would have finished this series long ago. Now the Stars are facing elimination in a series they’ve struggled to score.
The under has to be the play here again. There is only one game in this series that has seen more than five goals and it was Game 3, the first game of the series in Dallas. It just looks like Calgary has taken control, and the Stars are really fighting to generate anything. The Flames want to keep doing what they’re doing, and it’s hard to believe the Stars can pull themselves out of their rut with the way Calgary is going.
Prop Bet: Third-Period Goals (Over 2, +100)
This third period has been the busiest period of this series. With one team facing elimination, the trend of fast-paced finishes might continue in Game 6. Out of the 18 goals scored in this series, 10 have been scored in the third period. Of those 10 in the third period, six have been scored by the Flames, and all of those have come in the last two games.
As much as the Dallas Stars don’t want their season to end on home ice, the Flames want their next home game to be in the second round. With as close as this series has been, that could mean some fireworks. Calgary has turned into the closers in this series, and elimination games always point to the chance for an empty-netter, making a play for three goals in the third period (+100) a great play in Game 6.
Odds via BetMGM
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