Kraken vs. Stars Predictions, Odds, Props: Bet on Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs

The field is set for the Western Conference semifinals with the Seattle Kraken facing off against the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1.

Oddsmakers favor the second-place Stars to advance over the NHL’s newest expansion team. The upstart Kraken won their first-ever Stanley Cup Playoffs series in dramatic fashion — a Game 7 stunner over the defending champs in Colorado.

There are few things in sports more exciting than the NHL Playoffs. The field appears as wide open as ever, with two No. 1 seeds — including the President’s Trophy-winning Bruins — already eliminated from Stanley Cup contention.

Will Dallas or Seattle keep their postseason run alive? We’ll take a look at the Kraken vs. Stars odds, predictions, and prop bets for the series and Game 1.

Kraken vs. Stars Game 1 Odds & Series Price

Prior to the start of the season, neither Dallas nor Seattle was seen as Stanley Cup contenders. At DraftKings Sportsbook, the Dallas Stars were +4500 and the Seattle Kraken were +10000 at the beginning of the season in October.

As for the Stars vs. Kraken series, Dallas is a -188 favorite to advance to the second round. The underdog Kraken are +152 to win the series. The series winner will face either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals.

Dallas, at home, is favored to win the Stars vs. Kraken Game 1 tonight. The total is set at 5.5 for tonight’s contest.

Kraken vs. Stars Series Betting News

Dallas finished second in the Central Division with 103 points and a 47-21-14 record. They drew divisional-rival Minnesota in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Stars clinched a second-round appearance Friday night with a 4-1 win over the Wild.

After winning their series 4-2, Dallas enters their series against the Kraken with two additional days of rest. Minnesota held a 2-1 lead in the series after emerging victorious in Game 1 (3-2) and Game 3 (5-1). The Stars bounced back to rattle off three-straight wins and punch their ticket to the second round.

Goalie Jake Oettinger was a difference-maker for the Stars in net. Highlighted by a 4-0 shutout in Game 5, Oettinger surrendered just 13 goals to the Wild on 183 shots faced (Marc-Andre Fleury manned the crease in Game 2 of the series). The goaltender’s 2.01 GAA trails only the Devils’ Akira Schmid and the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin in the playoff field.

Will the Seattle Kraken manage to beat Oettinger if he keeps up the elite-level play? The Kraken’s top goal scorer, Jared McCann, is questionable after missing three consecutive games.

Even without McCann, the Kraken managed to upset the defending Stanley Cup champions in Game 7 of their opening series. Seattle fell to 1-2 in their series against the Avalanche before rattling off two-straight wins to take a series lead. The Avs forced a Game 7, but Seattle secured the 2-1 victory and the first-ever playoff series win in franchise history.

On the injury front, the Kraken have ruled out Andre Burakovsky (lower body), Joonas Donskoi (upper body), and John Hayden (lower body). Joe Pavelski (concussion) is questionable for Dallas.

Kraken vs. Stars Game 1 Betting Trends

Prior to puck drop of Game 1 of the Stars vs. Kraken series, these are some season-long betting trends to consider before placing your wagers.

Dallas Stars Trends

• Dallas went 51-37 on the moneyline this year (58%)
• Dallas went 47-41 on the puck line for +1.73 units
• Dallas over/unders have gone 36-47-5 this year
• The Stars have stayed under the total in six of their last 10 games

Seattle Kraken Trends

• Seattle went 50-39 on the moneyline this year (56%)
• Seattle went 52-37 on the puck line for +10.27 units
• Seattle over/unders have gone 39-45-5 this year
• The Kraken have stayed under the total in eight of their last 10 games

Stars vs. Kraken Prop Bets for Series & Game 1

Sportsbooks are favoring the Dallas Stars to win the second-round series against the Seattle Kraken. Betting on the outright winner isn’t the only way, as sportsbooks are offering several Stars vs. Kraken prop bets on the outcome of the series. If you have a smaller bankroll or just want to have some hockey action, a series prop bet gives you a rooting interest throughout the whole round.

These are some of the most popular Stars vs. Kraken series bets and odds currently being offered by FanDuel Sportsbook:

Series Correct Score

• Dallas wins 4-1: +410
• Dallas wins 4-3: +410
• Seattle wins 4-2: +570
• Seattle wins 4-3: +630

Series Total Games

• 4 games: +550
• 5 games: +250
• 6 games: +200
• 7 games: +200

In addition to the spread, moneyline, and puck line, books are also offering a wide array of Stars vs. Kraken prop bets for Game 1 tonight. Betting on the exact score is one of the most popular hockey prop bets. Below are some of the highest-paying correct score bets you can make for Game 1 of the Stars vs. Kraken.

• Seattle wins 5-1: +5000
• Seattle wins 6-0: +20000
• Dallas wins 1-0: +5500
• Dallas wins 6-5: +11000

Stars vs. Kraken Game 1 Prediction: Go Under 5.5 Goals

Road teams are 31-18 in the playoffs this year, breaking the previous record set in the 2012 postseason. Despite the trend, it’ll be hard to back a banged-up Kraken roster against a stout Dallas defense. In our Stars vs. Kraken prediction, avoid a moneyline selection and bet the under.

With Oettinger in net, the Under went 4-1 in the Stars’ opening-round series against the Wild. Only one of the Kraken’s seven games against the Avalanche managed to eclipse the total. Expect a low-scoring affair for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals and bet the under in tonight’s Stars vs. Kraken game.

As for the whole series, we like the Dallas Stars to win in six games. FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a prop bet on Dallas to win the series 4-3 against Seattle at +410 odds.