The Dallas Stars face the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Western Conference Final. The Stars looked poised for a quick elimination but battled in Game Four to win in overtime to keep their season alive. The Golden Knights were hoping to sweep the series but stumbled in overtime and will return to their home ice for Game Five. The Stars hope to force a Game Six on their home ice while the Golden Knights are looking to advance to the Western Conference Final and Game Five should be a great one.
Stars hope defense continues to play well in Game Five
The Stars kept their season alive but hope the offense can step up as it has struggled in the series, scoring only eight goals thus far. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Joe Pavelski have scored six goals and seven assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. The hope is that Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchement can step up as they combined for 33 goals and 48 assists this season but have yet to record a point in this series.
The offense has struggled but the defense stepped up in Game Four, allowing only two goals. Miro Heiskanen and Ryan Suter led the top two lines while Esa Lindell, Jani Hakanpaa, and Thomas Harley added depth to the unit, creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes. Additionally, goaltender Jake Oettinger was great in the recent game, saving 37 of the 39 shots he faced.
Golden Knights hope defense secures series
The Golden Knights have controlled this series with their offense stepping up and scoring 13 goals. Jonathan Marchessault, Nicolas Roy, and Ivan Barbashev have scored four goals and eight assists to lead the top two lines but the entire offense has been great. William Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson have combined for five goals and four assists while defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Zach Whitecloud have added a goal and three assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Golden Knights, allowing only eight goals in the series including only three goals in the last two games. Alex Pietrangelo and Alec Martinez have led the top pairing while Zach Whitecloud, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore have added depth to the unit, creating turnovers in all three zones and limiting shots on the net. In addition, goaltender Adin Hill has been great in this series, saving 132 of the 140 shots he's faced.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Stars are looking to build off an overtime win and keep this series alive and possibly start a reverse sweep. However, the Golden Knights have controlled this series and look to step up after a rough overtime loss and control Game Five. The Golden Knights, who have scored 13 goals in the series, should pile on the goals with Nicolas Roy, Ivan Barbashev, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Golden Knights, who have only allowed eight goals in the series, should limit the Stars' offense with Alex Pietrangelo, Alec Martinez, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Adin Hill to make plenty of big saves to close out the game. The Golden Knights should win Game Five and clinch the series with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Golden Knights money line as home Favorites.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Both defenses have controlled this series and Game Five should reflect that with both defensive units controlling the game from the opening puck drop. The Stars, who allowed only two goals in Game Four, should limit the Golden Knights' offense with Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jake Oettinger to make plenty of big saves. The Golden Knights, who have only allowed three goals in the last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Stars with Alex Pietrangelo, Alec Martinez, Zach Whitecloud, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Adin Hill blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
Take the Under on 5.5 goals.