Avalanche vs Stars predictions
With Game 7 looming large at the American Airlines Center, the Colorado Avalanche will be leaning heavily on their star center, Nathan MacKinnon, to power them through this nail-biter. MacKinnon has been on fire this season, racking up 32 goals and an impressive 84 assists. Let's be honest; when it comes to clutch moments, he’s the guy you want. His ability to coordinate with teammates and lead them on the ice is unparalleled. If he maintains his current pace, there's a good chance we'll be seeing him making both critical passes and finding the back of the net himself as the Avalanche push forward. You never quite know who will step up, but with MacKinnon, it feels like you can almost count on magic.
Now, turning our attention to the Dallas Stars, they’ve got talent of their own, though they're grappling with Jason Robertson's absence due to injury. Robertson, who logged 35 goals this season, will be missed, but this is where the depth of the Stars comes into play. Matt Duchene is another key player to watch—he's proven his knack for setting up plays, with 52 assists to his name. In this high-stakes game, Duchene will likely have to shift gears and maybe even take on a more aggressive scoring role. The Stars have shown time and again that they're adaptable, but will that be enough to overcome Colorado's might without one of their top guns?
As for the big question—who takes Game 7—the odds seem to be tilting slightly in favor of the Colorado Avalanche. The odds-makers at -135 seem to echo that sentiment. Without Robertson, the Dallas Stars might face an uphill battle. Having home-ice advantage certainly bolsters their chances, and it would be foolish to rule out a dramatic, show-stopping performance from the likes of Duchene or any of their other talented players. Nevertheless, if I were to put my chips on the table, I'd wager that the Avalanche, riding the whirlwind that is MacKinnon, seem poised to close out this series. But hey, this is hockey—a sport known for its unpredictability. What do you think? Could the Stars pull a rabbit out of the hat in their own backyard?
