Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Final odds, picks and best bets
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars tangle again in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at 8 p.m. ET Monday at Rogers Place in Edmonton (on NBC). Below, we analyze the Lightning-Stars Game 6 betting odds and lines, with NHL picks and best bets.
Best-of-seven series: Lightning lead 3-2
Lightning vs. Stars: Projected starting goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Anton Khudobin
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 33 shots in a double-overtime loss in Game 5, as the Stars were able to keep their season alive thanks to Corey Perry's fifth goal of the playoffs 9:23 into the second extra session. Perry seemed to have Vasilevskiy's number in Game 5, as he also opened the scoring late in the first period. Tampa Bay's netminder hasn't been at his best, going 3-2 with a 2.52 goals against average and .896 save percentage in five games in this series, but the Lightning are still one win away from hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.
Win or lose the Stanley Cup, Khudobin has to receive serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy, an award given to the most valuable player in the postseason. It probably won't happen with a loss in this series, as that's a rarity, but it can happen. He has carried a rather ordinary team on his back, winning three playoff series and getting the Stars within two wins of an NHL championship. While his numbers in this series aren't that great at 2-3 with a 3.06 GAA and .907 SV%, overall, he has been a godsend with G Ben Bishop unfit to play.
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Lightning vs. Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at Sunday 4:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Lightning 4, Stars 3
Money line (ML)
The LIGHTNING (- 167) are heavy favorites yet again. After failing to cash in Game 5, they'll be able to get it done and finish off the Stars (+140) in Game 6. It's been a tremendous series, but Tampa's high-octane offense will shine through, and Vasilevskiy will be at his best in this one.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Lightning returns a profit of $5.99, while a $10 bet on the Stars would fetch a profit of $14 if they prevail.
Puck Line/Against the spread (ATS)
AVOID. The Stars (+1.5, -200) would cost you two times your potential return, and while I expect this to be close, it's just not worth the risk. If you like the Stars, just take them on the money line. But I'm going to PASS.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 5 ( -143) is a good bet, as the Under has yet to hit in the first five games of this series on a flat 5. We've seen three pushes, including the marathon Game 5, and a pair of Overs. Look for a little more scoring in Game 6.
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