After a massive Frozen Frenzy in the NHL on Tuesday, things cool down with a two-game slate on Wednesday night, although we are treated to what will be an intense showdown between Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
For the second-straight night, these two will square up, as they complete their back-to-back, home and away series.
This will be a hard-fought battle between two perennial contenders, but how will things shake out? Colorado beat Dallas 3-2 in regulation on the road last night, but will history repeat?
Here is our expert Stars vs. Avalanche prediction.
On home ice and riding a big win, Colorado will be set up nice to take this one. Since winning their first two home games of the season while outscoring opponents 14-5, they gave their home crowd a 6-3 loss this past Saturday.
I expect this should spark a deep hunger to reclaim home ice and get their crowd into it by puck drop. Dallas may be on their heels early.
Dallas is now 2-3-1 on the season, showing some early season struggles and inconsistencies. They have stayed tight in most contests, but their complete lack of offense (2.17 goals per game) is a major concern in this matchup.
Their abysmal power play is also a big concern, operating at 7.7% which is third worst in the NHL. Colorado's powerplay is at 22.2% for reference.
Stars forward Wyatt Johnston will also be out for this contest, which does not help a team needing explosive firepower, which Colorado certainly has an abundance of.
Dallas' league-best goals against average (1.40) and save percentage (.953) won't be enough to carry them on the road against one of the best.
We may have just seen these two teams produce a total of five goals in a 3-2 finish, but I expect a different story in this second meeting.
Starting in net, each team sent out their starting goaltender in the first of this doubleheader, so I expect us to see two backups in Casey DeSmith and Scott Wedgewood. This alone should increase offense from two sound rosters.
In just five games, Colorado has already scored 6+ goals in three of those games, while defensively, they have given up 4+ goals twice.
They are a chaotic team that can find themselves in offensive shootouts quite often. They also lead the NHL in goals per game at 5.20.
While Dallas has been completely quiet on the offensive side of the puck, I won't count them out of the offense in this one, as they boast a very skilled and capable roster.
Not even a week ago, this Avalanche team gave up six goals in regulation and overall they average over three goals against per game this season.
This will be a highly competitive game. I have faith in both teams' offensive capabilities and remain skeptical on the other side of the puck. In what may be a back and forth affair, I expect goals galore.
The 2026-27 season is now six games old for Jason Robertson and the Stars and it has not been a hot start.
While he is currently tied for the team lead in goals (2), this is offensive production we are not used to seeing from the superstar winger.
Over the last two seasons, Robertson has accumulated 80 goals in 164 games, leading his team in each year.
His high shot totals remains, as he is second on the team with 16, and he remains heavily utilized with the third-highest time on ice average for Dallas forwards (19:01).
Robertson cannot be contained for too long and with no goals in his last two games, I believe he is already due.
I don't fully trust Colorado's defensive ability and, in a big test for Dallas, Robertson needs to step up.
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Dallas Stars | +124 |
Colorado Avalanche | -148 |
Puck Line | COL Avalanche -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.0 |
Nathan MacKinnon (COL Avalanche) | +110 |
Jason Robertson (DAL Stars) | +170 |
Martin Necas (COL Avalanche) | +180 |
Mikko Rantanen (DAL Stars) | +220 |
Roope Hintz (DAL Stars) | +275 |
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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.