Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

There are storylines aplenty going into Sunday night's massive game in Denver, not least Mikko Rantanen's first return to the Ball Arena as Colorado Avalanche host his new team, Dallas Stars.

The Finnish superstar had been a fans' favorite in his 10-season career with the Avs, who thought they had at least moved him out of their conference, let alone division, when they traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes back in January due to concerns over his impending free agency.

Carolina couldn't agree a deal with Rantanen though and a blockbuster move at the trade deadline saw him return to the Central division with Dallas, who immediately signed him to an eight-year $96million contract, and he could be set to haunt Colorado for seasons to come.

Throw in the fact that these two teams are battling it out for second place in the division behind Winnipeg Jets, with Dallas three points better off having played two games less and therefore in pole position to secure home advantage for what could be a first-round playoff series, and there is a whole lot to get excited about for Sunday's matchup.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche betting picks and predictions

Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+170)

On the face of it, both teams are in good form with Colorado having gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, while the Stars boast a 7-3-0 record, but more recently the edge lies with the Avalanche.

Nathan MacKinnon and co had enjoyed a six-game winning streak - with each victory earned with at least a three-goal margin - before a shootout loss in Minnesota on Tuesday, but they bounced back with a 4-2 win in Calgary on Friday night.

The Stars needed overtime to beat Calgary at home last week and have subsequently dropped two of their next three games - all on the road - with the latest a convincing 4-1 loss in Winnipeg on Friday.

An argument could be made that they have had a tougher run of games - also losing in Edmonton - but home-ice advantage looks to be key and Dallas is still on the road.

These two teams have identical 18-14-1 records on their travels and, while the Stars have been a little more dominant on home ice, the Avs have still gone 22-10-2 at the Ball Arena - helped by reeling off eight straight wins in Denver.

The home trend has played out in this season's two previous head to heads with Dallas winning 5-3 at the American Airlines Center in November, before the Avs won 6-3 at the Ball Arena in January.

Colorado have also had the better of recent meetings, having won seven of the last 10.

The Avs have generally been filling the net of late, scoring 28 goals in their last eight games, while Jake Oettinger has not been at his best in goal on the Stars' current road trip - allowing nine goals from 49 shots in losses to Edmonton (5-4) and Winnipeg (4-1).

Eight of the last nine games between these two rivals have seen a winning margin of more than one goal and with the Avs having the best of that sequence, they can do so again on Sunday night to keep the battle for second in the Central very much alive.

Over 6.0 (-110)

These two teams have proven themselves to be two of the best offenses in the NHL with the Stars ranking fourth with 3.38 goals per game, while the Avs are not far behind in sixth with 3.33.

The defenses are not too shabby either, but there is sure to be a desperation to land a psychological blow both in the race for second as well as the likely playoff battle ahead and, with the talent on both rosters, over 6.0 goals looks eminently achievable.

There have been 17 goals in the two games between these two so far this season, while only one game in the last eight meetings has not seen more than six goals - and that was a 5-1 win for Colorado at the Ball Arena in February last season.

Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 102 points, while Cale Makar tops defensemen with 75 and the offensive talent is clear for all to see.

Oettinger does not appear to be in the best of form right now either and that can only add to Colorado's confidence of finding the net on multiple occasions.

Rantanen may top the Stars' stats for points (73), goals (29) and assists (44), the majority of which came for Colorado, but Dallas' strengths lie in a more rounded offensive production and can no doubt up their game to contribute to the goals total.

Mikko Rantanen anytime goalscorer (+170)

It might not be the most popular outcome on Sunday night, but Rantanen looks big enough at +170 to make a scoring return to the Ball Arena.

The 28-year-old has scored for fun in Denver before and has seemingly fitted in better with the Stars than he did in Carolina, having scored two goals and provided an assist in his three games so far.

Rantanen is obviously one of the NHL's biggest stars, but throw in his desperation to make a big statement against his former teammates and it would not be a surprise to anyone if he lit the lamp on Sunday night.

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Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche odds

Dallas Stars	+120 ML
Colorado Avalanche	-140 ML
Puck Line	COL Avalanche -1.5
Total	O/U 6.0

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Nathan MacKinnon (COL Avalanche)	+100
Mikko Rantanen (DAL Stars)	+170
Jason Robertson (DAL Stars)	+180
Martin Necas (COL Avalanche)	+200
Artturi Lehkonen (COL Avalanche)	+220
Wyatt Johnston (DAL Stars)	+230

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.