🏒 Avalanche vs. Stars Prediction & Odds: NHL Picks Today (April 4)

I'm backing Sam Malinski to continue being productive on the ice with my Avalanche vs. Stars prediction for today's Central Division rivalry game.
Sam Malinski is the focus of our Avalanche vs. Stars prediction.
Pictured: Sam Malinski is the focus of our Avalanche vs. Stars prediction. Photo by Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
Enjoying SBR content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Add as a preferred source on Google

Two of the top Central Division teams play tonight when the Colorado Avalanche take on the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are coming off a surprising 8-6 loss at home to the Canucks, as the Stars just shut out the Jets 3-0 in their last matchup. Today's puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center, airing on ABC and streaming on ESPN+. 

The Avalanche are -114 road favorites, while the total sits at 6.5. My Avalanche vs. Stars prediction targets the road team, plus a score prediction and a player prop for Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski. 


🏒 Avalanche vs. Stars picks & odds today: April 4

See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Bet type Units Notes
Avalanche ML (-114 via FanDuel) 1u -> 0.87u The Avalanche are 10-1 SU in their last 11 road games played. Stars are 2-6 SU in last eight matchups
Over 6.5 (+114 via DraftKings) 1u -> 1.14u Over has won in 5 of previous 6 head-to-head matchups
Sam Malinski Over 0.5 points (+125 via BetMGM) 1u -> 1.25u 1+ points in four of previous five starts

Total wagered: 3.0 units | Max profit: 3.26 units

📃 Affiliate disclosure

Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)


💰 Avalanche vs. Stars prediction & best bet

Avalanche ML (-114)

The Avalanche hold a six-point lead over the Stars to sit atop the Central Division. Both teams have already clinched a playoff berth but want to gain momentum, especially in a divisional matchup. 

The Stars are 2-1 SU against the Avalanche this season. They have yet to beat the Avalanche at home, and they have lost six of their last eight matchups. 

The Avalanche rallied at American Airlines Center the last time these teams played, posting a 5-4 shootout win. After a bad loss to the Canucks, expect Nathan MacKinnon to lead the Avs to victory. 

Score prediction: Avalanche 4, Stars 3 (+2000 via FanDuel)


🔥 Best Avalanche vs. Stars player prop bet

Sam Malinski Over 0.5 points (+125)

Colorado defenseman Sam Malinski has been on a tear lately. The Avalanche have seen Malinski notch three multi-point games in his last five starts, including a point in four of his previous five outings. 

After logging an assist in the first matchup against the Stars, Malinski has been held without a point in the past two games against their divisional foe. 

Logging close to 20 minutes ATOI lately, plus featuring on the top defensive line and second powerplay unit, Malinski is available at a big value in the 1+ point market. The top price for this prop bet is +125 via BetMGM. 


📊 Live Avalanche vs. Stars odds

The Stars have dropped from -110 to -105 moneyline odds since opening. This has made the Avalanche a slight road favorite at -114 odds on the moneyline at our best sports betting sites.

The Avalanche have had two full days of rest, compared to one day for the Stars. The Avalanche have been a power house on the road lately, winning 10 of their past 11 matchups away from home. Meanwhile, the Stars have lost three of the last four games played at American Airlines Center. 


🚀 Avalanche vs. Stars same-game parlay

Despite both teams locking in a playoff seed, this matchup fosters a fierce rivalry. All three previous games went into overtime, so expect a tight contest with a flurry of goals from both sides, leading to over 6.5 total goals. 

The Avalanche have a tendency to play better on the road, while the Stars have not won back-to-back games since March 12th and 14th. Colorado has scored 15 goals in its last two games played, while Dallas has allowed four or more goals in two of three games against the Avalanche this season. 

Sam Malinski should be primed for another productive outing today against the Stars. He's been filling in nicely for an injured Cale Makar and will have scoring chances in the offensive zone. 

💵 Avalanche vs. Stars SGP picks

  • Avalanche ML (-114)
  • Over 6.5 (+114)
  • Sam Malinski (+125)

Best odds: +804 via DraftKings (0.5u -> 4.01u)


💵 My betting record for NHL picks

All NHL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since April 1.

Bet type Record Net profit
Overall 1-2 -2.3 units ❌
Player props 0-1 -1 units ❌
Parlays 0-1 -0.5 units ❌

💡 How I'm betting Avalanche vs. Stars

Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.

We're dropping 3.5 units on a huge Central Division rivalry game between the Avalanche and Stars today. Colorado is looking to improve to 2-0 on the road in Dallas this season to even the series at 2-2. 

Sam Malinski is one of the top Avalanche defensemen who is available to bet for 1+ points at plus odds. The Stars have not been able to post back-to-back wins in close to a month, while dropping six of their past eight games. Overs have also been a common theme between these opponents, hitting in five of the past six matchups. 

Our three-leg parlay has a 0.5 unit stake on +804 odds to haul in over 4.0 units of profit. 


📈 Avalanche vs. Stars betting trends

Avalanche Statistic Stars
49-15-10 W-L record 45-19-12
37-37 ATS record 30-46
32-39-3 O/U record 37-39
3-2 Last 5 games 2-3

🚑 Avalanche vs. Stars injuries


📺 How to watch Avalanche vs. Stars

  • Date: Saturday, April 4
  • Puck drop: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
  • TV: ABC
  • Steaming: ESPN+