Stars vs Avalanche Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are set to face off in a high-stakes matchup tonight, with the game kicking off at 9:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver. The contest will be broadcast on TNT, and the odds for the game have been updated to reflect the latest betting trends. Analyst Todd Cordell highlights Nathan MacKinnon as the key player to watch, citing his consistent performance against the Stars. MacKinnon has scored in eight of the past nine meetings with Dallas, including six consecutive games, and his ability to generate shot attempts and goals makes him a strong contender for the game’s top scorer. Cordell’s best bet for the game is a +100 wager on MacKinnon scoring an anytime goal. The forward has led the league in shot attempts and shots on target, with 45 goals and 78 attempts in his last nine games against Dallas. His recent success against the Stars, combined with the Avalanche’s strategic adjustments under head coach Jared Bednar, positions him as a critical factor in the outcome. The Avalanche’s back pocket has seen changes, allowing MacKinnon to avoid the Stars’ top defensive players, which could further enhance his scoring chances. For same-game parlays, Cordell suggests focusing on Cale Makar and Thomas Harley. Makar, who has logged over 26 minutes in five straight games against Dallas, is expected to play a significant role given the stakes of the Central Division rivalry. His performance has heavily correlated with MacKinnon’s goals, with an assist in seven of the past 10 games where the forward scored. Harley, meanwhile, has blocked two or more shots in seven consecutive games against Colorado, and his ability to disrupt high-shot-generation teams makes him a key defensive player to monitor.#colorado_avalanche #nathan_mackinnon #ball_arena #todd_cordell #dallas_stars
NHL On Tap: Malkin Back for Penguins, But Crosby Unlikely vs. Avalanche Evgeni Malkin will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup as they face the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. The Russian forward, who served a five-game suspension for slashing Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres on March 5, is set to play in the matchup at Ball Arena. Pittsburgh, currently tied with the New York Islanders for second in the Metropolitan Division, went 2-1-2 during Malkin’s absence, including a 1-1-1 record in their first three games of a five-game road trip. Captain Sidney Crosby, sidelined since a lower-body injury sustained while playing for Team Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics, has been skating with the team but is unlikely to play. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the league in points with 109, trails Connor McDavid by five points and remains a plus-57 in 64 games. The Avalanche, however, have lost two of their past three contests, narrowing their lead over the Dallas Stars in the Central Division. Artemi Panarin will make his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Kings host the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old forward, traded to the Kings on February 4, will face his former team for the first time since his trade. Panarin, who scored 607 points in seven seasons with the Rangers, has 12 points in 10 games with the Kings, who trail the Seattle Kraken by two points for the second wild card in the Western Conference. New York, meanwhile, has won four straight games and is 6-1-2 since returning from the Olympic break. Alexis Lafreniere, who has nine goals in his past 11 games, is one goal away from matching his 2023-24 total of 28. The Detroit Red Wings aim to end a three-game losing streak as they host the Calgary Flames in a Monday Night Hockey matchup.#colorado_avalanche #nathan_mackinnon #evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #alexander_olshanski
Matthew Schaefer should be in Hart Trophy mix, Wayne Gretzky says New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has made a strong case for inclusion in the Hart Trophy conversation this season. The 18-year-old, who was selected first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has delivered a standout performance in his first campaign, earning praise from hockey legends and analysts alike. With 47 points in 65 games, Schaefer ranks second on his team and leads the Islanders in time-on-ice, averaging 24:18 per game. His ability to score goals—20 in total, tied for the most among NHL defensemen—alongside four game-winning goals, highlights his impact on the ice. Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as the greatest player in hockey history, has publicly endorsed Schaefer’s candidacy for the Hart Trophy, which recognizes the NHL’s most valuable regular-season player. During a recent interview, Gretzky emphasized Schaefer’s critical role in the Islanders’ success, questioning whether the team would have reached its current position without him. “Would this team be where they are right now without him?” Gretzky asked. “What about winning the MVP of the league? That’s how good this kid has been.” While acknowledging Schaefer’s potential, Gretzky noted the player is not yet a lock to win, but he should be a serious contender. Schaefer’s rise to prominence is no surprise to Islanders fans, given the team’s decision to draft him first overall in 2023. Despite limited playing time in his draft year—just 26 games across all competitions—Schaefer’s combination of composure under pressure and elite hockey IQ has already set him apart. His ability to read the game and make plays at a high level has made him a key asset for a team aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season.#matthew_schaefer #new_york_islanders #wayne_gretzky #hart_trophy #nathan_mackinnon
