The first game between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars featured more game misconducts than it did goals, and that intensity will almost certainly carry over into Thursday’s Game 2. These teams have played close games all season, and this betting guide offers some value plays for the second game in this series.
Dallas Stars (+190) vs Calgary Flames (-250)
The Flames got only a first-period goal from Elias Lindholm, but it was all they needed to take a 1-0 lead in the series. These teams were close all season, and the series opener was no different. Calgary is a heavy favorite to win Game 2 (-250), but there is very little value in that number. However, Dallas can’t be trusted either. They’ve been rotten on the road all season and are coming off a game where they managed just 16 shots on goal.
Because of how tight these two teams have been all year, the best value here comes on the Dallas puck line (+1.5, -145). This game is likely going to be another close one, and the empty-netter is always in play, but getting a free goal at better than -150 is always a good bonus in the playoffs. After everybody was bottled up in Game 1—there were only 42 shots combined on Tuesday—the total has to be played on the side of the under (U5.5, -115).
Props
Flames to Score First Goal in First Period (-105)
Calgary’s lone goal in Game 1 came in the first period, and while few expected that goal to be the game-winner, it extended a pretty good trend for the Flames. Calgary scored the first goal in the first period in their final five regular-season games before doing it again in Game 1. They were one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL during the regular season, and getting almost even money for them to get the first goal (-105) holds some pretty good value.
Dallas hasn’t outshot an opponent in its last eight games, and sluggish starts have been the culprit during most of that stretch. The Stars managed just 16 shots on goal in their series-opening loss and looked content to play reactive hockey for most of the game. That bodes well for Calgary to establish the scoring first in Game 2.
Jamie Benn Points (Over 0.5, +130)
This might seem like more of a hunch pick than anything, but things should break open soon for Dallas’ second line. If the first game was any indication, the Stars are going to try and grind things out this series. They’re going to have to score sooner or later, and the second line was actually pretty good in Game 1. Despite Dallas getting only 16 shots on goal, Jamie Benn accounted for three of them, which was tied with teammate Tyler Seguin for the game-high.
Benn has also been pretty good against the Flames this season. He scored two goals in three games against them in the regular season, and his involvement in Tuesday’s Game 1 was encouraging. Calgary was laser-focused on shutting down the top line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, and understandably so. Seguin and Benn aren’t the offensive terrors they used to be, but they still combined for 42 goals this season, and Benn is a player that can get the Stars going.
Odds via FanDuel and BetMGM
The Hockey Writers & THWBets promotes responsible gaming, and provides this content as opinion and analysis with no guarantees or assurances.
For more information about responsible gambling, including help for problem gambling behaviour, please visit these great resource pages:
If you’re in Canada, Rogers Sports & Media has put together a great information and resources page.
If you’re in the United States, MGMResorts has a great page for gambling problem resources.
