The Dallas Stars head into Ball Arena for a regular season showdown against the Colorado Avalanche. Currently holding a 42-15-10 record, the Stars are positioned second in both the Western Central Division and the conference. Under the guidance of head coach Glen Gulutzan, they seek to recover after a recent 3-6 home loss to the Utah Mammoth.
The Colorado Avalanche, with a 44-13-9 record, stand first in the Western Central Division and conference. Coached by Jared Bednar, they aim to bounce back from a 2-7 home defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite this setback, the Avalanche’s solid division and conference records reflect their season’s consistency.
Set for March 18, 2026, at 9:30 PM, this game will be broadcast on TNT. The Avalanche are favored with a -157 MoneyLine, while the Stars are considered underdogs with a +133 MoneyLine. Both teams will look to solidify their standings with a significant win in this key regular season encounter.
Avalanche vs Stars At a Glance
- Game Venue: Ball Arena
- Game Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 9:30 PM
- TV Coverage: TNT
- Current Standings: Colorado Avalanche lead the Western Central Division
- Dallas Stars Recent Performance: Loss to Utah Mammoth (3 – 6) on March 16, 2026
- Game Odds: Avalanche are the favorites with a MoneyLine of -157
Colorado Avalanche Gearing Up for a Showdown
Away Team Overview
The Colorado Avalanche are heading into their next game with a solid regular season performance. They currently hold the top spot in the NHL, which is testament to their consistency and skill on the ice. Their performance has them on track to claim the Presidents Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular season record.
Despite their overall success, the Avalanche are coming off a mixed set of recent games. They experienced a challenging loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 7-2 score, highlighting some areas that may need attention. However, they have also shown resilience with a convincing 5-1 win against the Seattle Kraken.
Key Skaters to Watch
Nathan MacKinnon remains a crucial player for the Avalanche, leading with 110 points across 65 games. His contribution of 45 goals and 65 assists highlights his offensive prowess and ability to influence the game significantly.
Martin Necas also stands out with 81 points, including 31 goals and 50 assists. His physical presence on the ice is notable, with 70 hits recorded, showcasing his all-around capability.
Defensive and Goaltending Insights
Cale Makar is a defensive powerhouse, contributing 68 points while leading the team with 108 blocks. His ability to transition from defense to offense makes him a vital asset to the Avalanche’s strategy.
Scott Wedgewood has been reliable between the pipes with 25 wins in 37 appearances. Although he has allowed 78 goals, his 841 saves demonstrate his ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
Injury Concerns
Injuries have impacted the Avalanche’s roster, with key players like Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen out. Landeskog’s absence due to a lower body injury, and Lehkonen’s undisclosed issue, mean adjustments will be necessary for the team.
Logan O’Connor’s hip injury also poses a challenge, as he remains on long-term injured reserve with no set return date. These injuries could affect the Avalanche’s depth in their upcoming games.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- SU Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- SU All Games: 39-13 (75.0%)
- Puckline Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- Puckline Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 33-19 (63.5%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-4 (20.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
- O/U All Games: 20-32 (38.5%)
Stars Look to Shine Bright Against the Avalanche
Avalanche’s Offensive Dynamics
The Colorado Avalanche enter the game with a powerful offensive lineup that has scored 231 goals this season, ranking them fourth in the league. They have demonstrated exceptional playmaking abilities, registering 409 assists which places them second overall. This high-scoring potential will be a significant threat to the Stars’ defense.
Their power play is particularly lethal, having scored a league-best 60 power play goals. The Avalanche’s offensive pressure is further intensified by their 1735 shots on goal, indicating a relentless attack strategy. Dallas’ defensive unit will need to be on high alert to counter this aggressive play.
Defensive Structure of the Avalanche
The Avalanche’s defensive game is equally formidable, with 998 blocks ranking them tenth in the league. Their ability to disrupt the opposition’s play is also highlighted by 964 giveaways, placing them ninth in the league, suggesting disciplined puck management. The Stars will need to capitalize on any rare defensive lapses to find scoring opportunities.
Colorado’s physicality is evident with 1267 hits, emphasizing their aggressive style of play. This physical approach could wear down the Stars over the course of the game, potentially giving the Avalanche an edge in stamina and possession.
Goaltending Prowess
In net, the Avalanche have conceded 171 goals, securing the third spot for fewest goals against. This solid goaltending performance will make it challenging for the Stars to break through. Additionally, their goaltenders have made 1586 saves, further showcasing their reliability between the pipes.
Despite not having recorded a shutout this season, the Avalanche’s ability to limit scoring chances remains a strength. The Stars will need to be strategic and efficient with their shot selection to challenge the Avalanche’s netminders effectively.
Betting Trends for the Avalanche
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU All Games: 33-15 (68.8%)
- SU as Favorite: 27-12 (69.2%)
- SU as Underdog: 6-3 (66.7%)
- Puckline Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- Puckline Last 5: 3-2 (60.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 22-26 (45.8%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 15-24 (38.5%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 7-2 (77.8%)
- O/U Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- O/U Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U All Games: 23-25 (47.9%)
Avalanche vs Stars Prediction: ‘Under 6.0’
The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are both top-tier teams in the Western Central Division, with strong defensive capabilities. The Avalanche have allowed only 154 goals this season, ranking them first in that category, while the Stars are not far behind with 171 goals against, ranked third. With both teams showing defensive prowess, this matchup could likely result in fewer goals.
In their head-to-head history, the teams have seen a tendency toward lower-scoring games. Their previous encounters this season did not go over the total, with two games going under. This trend suggests a continuation of tight defensive contests when these two teams meet.
Recent performance trends also point to a lower-scoring game. The Avalanche have gone under in seven of their last ten games, and the Stars have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, as evidenced by their recent 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth. The combination of strong defenses and fluctuating offensive performance makes a strong case for taking the under in this game.
Considering the defensive strengths of both teams and recent trends, the under 6.0 is the preferred pick. A projected score of Avalanche 3 – Stars 2 reflects the expectation of a closely contested game with limited scoring opportunities.
- Avalanche vs Stars Prediction: ‘Under 6.0’
- Avalanche vs Stars Score: ‘Avalanche 3 – Stars 2’
