Now, when the Game 4s represent something out of a demolition, what is one to do? Okay, the plan is to bounce right into the one game on the schedule this Tuesday night. The Dallas Stars are up two games to one over the Winnipeg Jets. Can Dallas take a commanding series lead, or will Winnipeg surprise many and tie things up?
Yes, this is the one and only contest on the Stanley Cup Playoff schedule.
Jets vs. Stars Game 5 Picks
Winnipeg And Dallas Allow For Expanding Betting Avenues
The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars could still be a series full of twists and turns. Dallas looked out of their series against Colorado in Game 1 before stealing two games in overtime. It is not impossible that Winnipeg might turn the series on its head. There are so many Connor Hellebuyck road horror stories from the last several playoff runs.
While Jake Oettinger can be up and down in goal, it does seem the inflection point for Hellebuyck came after the “playoff bubble years.” Naturally, debate runs wild on the validity, but the numbers do not lie. The Jets and the goaltender have fared poorly on the road since then. Look at what happened to teams like Montreal and especially the New York Islanders.
Now, the question is, can Dallas finish off a series they are now undeniably favored in? Dallas is currently around a -320 favorite to advance to the Western Conference Final. Is this the time to truly wager on a series win?
The deeper numbers always have a few surprises in store. For example, after Game 2, Dallas was much closer to even than they are now. It is always this way when it comes to live series betting. Here is one quirky option. The series spread of 1.5 games for Dallas rolls in at -150. However, the series ending in six games for a Stars win flips to +150.
The problem with making this wager now is simple. Numbers swing all the time. A Dallas win moves the needle into potentially negative territory. A Winnipeg triumph throws it all off-kilter. Hey, this is what makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs fun.
Live Series Bets: Dallas Stars in six games (+220) via DraftKings, Series ends in 6 games (+150 via DraftKings).
Jets vs Stars Game 4 Goalie Props
Sadly, a favorable model never consistently delivers the right results. It is fun to examine as many predictive trends as possible without becoming overloaded. However, imagine a scenario where the series or a game ends the expected way, but takes a long road to get there. That is playoff hockey in a nutshell.
As likely as this could go wrong, Jake Oettinger has played well against Winnipeg in the first three games of this series. He got a little unlucky during the first period of Game 2, but rebounded nicely. Oettinger allowing two goals or fewer currently stands at Even via BetMGM. It may be a number that does not move much.
Alas, can Hellebuyck come up with a scene-stealing performance? There is always that one chance. However, the idea that he gives up 3+ goals at -155 may appear safe, but recording 25+ saves is too risky (21 saves in every game this series). As tempting as that +130 is, staying away is the better course of valor.
Prime Bet: Jake Oettinger allows two or fewer goals (Even via BetMGM).
Some Conn Smythe Looks Ahead From This Series
There was a time when Mikko Rantanen led the way here. However, Connor McDavid is now +450 on FanDuel to win the Stanley Cup Playoff MVP. As for Rantanen, the Dallas forward is still at +490. It’s a number to keep an eye on.
From Dallas, Jake Oettinger is at +2000. Oettinger potentially has the most challenging road, especially if Edmonton advances as expected. Winnipeg is tougher because of the volatility of offense, so siding with the better odds for the Dallas goaltender is reasonable.
Final Pick: Jake Oettinger Conn Smythe Winner (+2000 via FanDuel)
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