Stars vs Golden Knights Game 1 Prediction & Best Bets: Will There Be an Upset at T-Mobile Arena?

The 2022-23 NHL Playoffs are down to just four teams as the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Stars and Golden Knights begins on Friday, May 19. Dallas and Vegas are two of the deepest teams in the league with a boatload of talent up and down the lineup, making it exciting to see how this Stars vs Golden Knights series unfolds.

It’s a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Final.

The Golden Knights will look for their first-ever series win against the Stars, while Dallas will aim for the same finish as 2020. #StanleyCup #NHLStats: https://t.co/1PRODHFKeu pic.twitter.com/GyRLMvwghq

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 16, 2023

The Stars went toe-to-toe with the Seattle Kraken in the second round, needing seven games to dispose of the NHL’s 32nd club. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights advanced past the Edmonton Oilers in six games, which included winning back-to-back tilts to close out the series. Now, Dallas and Vegas collide with a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final on the line.

Can the Stars return to the championship round for the first time since 2020? Or will the Golden Knights take one step closer to winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history?

Here’s a look at everything you know heading into Game 1 of the Stars vs Golden Knights series, from the latest betting odds to a prediction with the best betting recommendation, courtesy of Betting News.

Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Series tied 0-0)
• Venue & Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Stars vs Golden Knights TV Info: ESPN, ESPN+, CBC, SportsNet

Stars vs Golden Knights Game 1 Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, May 19 at 8:33 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Dallas Stars +1.5 (-255)
• Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+205)

Over/Under

• Over 5.5 Goals (-108)
• Under 5.5 Goals (-112)

Moneyline

• Dallas Stars +105
• Vegas Golden Knights -126

Stars vs Golden Knights Betting Trends

• Dallas is 4-1 straight up in its last five games against Vegas.
• Vegas is 10-3 straight up in its last 13 games against the Western Conference.
• The total has hit the over in eight of Dallas’ last 10 road games.
• The total has hit the over in four of Vegas’ last five games against the Central Division.
• The total has hit the under in four of the last six Dallas-Vegas matchups at T-Mobile Arena.

Stars vs Golden Knights Game 1 Preview

The Golden Knights will look to get things started right in Game 1. After all, Bruce Cassidy’s team experienced next to no success against Dallas during the regular season.

The two sides collided three times during the 2022-23 regular season, resulting in a trio of victories for the Stars. It’s worth noting that two of those victories came in a shootout, however, Dallas also notched an impressive 4-0 victory at T-Mobile Arena on Jan. 16, highlighted by goaltender Jake Oettinger stopping all 27 shots he faced.

The Stars have now won four of their past five matchups with the Golden Knights. What’s interesting to note is how close those games are as four were decided by just one goal.

Nevertheless, if the Stars want to upset the Golden Knights tonight, Oettinger must be at the top of his game again. He looked fantastic in Game 7 of the last round, making 22-of-23 stops (.957 save percentage) to eliminate the Kraken. Fortunately, there’s a good chance that he’ll continue that play into the Western Conference Finals.

After all, Oettinger is 4-0-0 in four previous starts against Vegas. The Boston University product was near unbeatable in those games, playing to a .960 SV% and 1.18 goals-against average with a shutout. He’s also stopped 68 of the 70 shots he’s faced in two appearances at T-Mobile Arena.

Needless to say, Golden Knights netminder Adin Hill must be on his game to match Oettinger. The 27-year-old has been solid in relief for the injured Laurent Brossoit, tallying a 3-1 record with a .934 SV% and 2.19 GAA in five playoff games (three starts).

As good as Hill has been, he’s still Vegas’ third-string goalie. Dallas has to take advantage of that fact — especially with how talented its lineup is. Names like Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Tyler Seguin must capitalize on any opportunities they get. While the Golden Knights are also talent-rich, they’ll have a tougher time getting by Oettinger when he’s on his game.

The special teams edge also goes to the Stars heading into Game 1. Dallas’ power play is clicking at an impressive 31.7% thus far. Despite Vegas’ impressive roster, it hasn’t had nearly as much success, only finding a 17.5% success rate on the man advantage.

On the other end, the Stars’ penalty kill has come out on the right side 83.3% of the time during this postseason. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are filled with dread any time one of their players heads to the penalty box, boasting an abysmal 60.0% penalty kill rate.

Stars vs Golden Knights Game 1 Prediction and Picks

Stars vs Golden Knights Prediction: Stars 4, Golden Knights 3

Stars vs Golden Knights: Stars ML (Best Value: +105 at BetOnline) & Roope Hintz Any Time Goal Scorer (Best Value: +200 at BetOnline)

In what’s a Game 1 that could go either way, I’m siding with the Stars to pull off the upset. Although the postseason is a different beast compared to the regular season, they proved that they can handle the Golden Knights. On top of that, Dallas has the clear-cut special teams advantage over Vegas. With how well Oettinger has also played at T-Mobile Arena, everything points to an upset.

As for another solid bet, I’ll take Roope Hintz to score at +200 odds. The 26-year-old Finnish winger has been electric during the playoffs, pacing the Stars with nine goals in 13 games. He’s found the back of the net in three of his past four games, tallying four goals over that stretch.

Considering how he scored on his last visit to T-Mobile Arena back in February, Hintz is a great candidate to hit pay dirt again tonight.

Other Stars vs Golden Knights Betting Resources

• Stars vs Golden Knights Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats

Other NHL Stories on Betting News (May 19)

• Stanley Cup Winner Odds and Best Bets
• Preview & Odds: NHL Conference Finals