NHL Playoffs Same Game Parlay Odds & Picks: Saturday (Avalanche vs. Stars)
The National Hockey League (NHL) has just a single playoff game on the slate for Saturday, May 3rd. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars meet in Game 7 of their Western Conference series at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
It’s a winner-take-all matchup for the right to meet the victor of the other Game 7 matchup between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.
We feature solid NHL same-game parlays (SGPs) with our top NHL picks and props for Saturday’s battle. These parlays come with +400 odds or higher.
Saturday’s Best NHL Playoffs Same Game Parlay Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
- Leg 1: Stars Moneyline (+116)
- Leg 2: Over 5.5 Goals (-108)
- Leg 3: Wyatt Johnston Anytime Goal Scorer (+230)
- Leg 4: Nathan MacKinnon 1+ Points (-350)
The Avalanche and Stars meet in Game 7 for all the marbles. These Central Division rivals have a surprisingly long history in the playoffs, considering the Avalanche moved from Quebec in 1995. These teams have met in a Game 7 on three previous occasions, with the Stars winning each of those matchups.
Dallas heads into this game with a mixed history in the decisive game. In a Game 7, the Stars are 8-9 in franchise history, with a victory in a Game 7 last season in the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights. The good news is that head coach Pete DeBoer is 8-0 all-time in Game 7s.
The last time these teams met in a Game 7 was the second round of the 2020 playoffs, a game which resulted in a 5-4 win for the Stars in overtime. That was the game left winger Joel Kiviranta scored in overtime for the Stars to advance them to the Western Conference Finals. Kiviranta now wears an Avalanche sweater. Similarly, Mikko Rantanen, who is tied for the team lead with seven career points in a Game 7, now wears a Dallas jersey after years with the Colorado Avalanche.
Dallas figures to rely heavily upon goaltender Jake Oettinger, who has managed a 2-1 record, 1.54 goals-against average (GAA) and a .956 save percentage (SV%) in Game 7s. Going into this series, Oettinger stood out as a potential difference maker against the less experienced Mackenzie Blackwood, and that could be the difference here.
For the Avalanche, the numbers aren’t nearly as exciting or encouraging. Head coach Jared Bednar has managed an 0-3 record in three Game 7 appearances, and the franchise is 6-10 all-time in those games, losing the past six opportunities. Colorado’s most recent victory in a Game 7 came in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2002, topping the San Jose Sharks.
Kiviranta and Brock Nelson have managed three points in a Game 7, leading the team. Of course, Kiviranta’s three points were the result of a hat trick in that Game 7 for the Stars against the Avs in 2020, while Nelson’s three points each came as a member of the New York Islanders.
This is a crazy series, as the under has cashed in three of the first four games, while the over cashed in the previous two outings. The Stars won 6-2 in Game 5, while the Avalanche won 7-4 in Game 6. Generally, we see things wide open early in a series, before things tighten up with more defense, checking and goaltending, while the high-danger scoring chances tend to be fewer and farther between. That still might be the case in Game 7, but the over has cashed in each of the previous two outings.
We have to back the Stars based on their franchise history in Game 7s, as well as the surprisingly poor history of the Avs in those games. Dallas is a value at plus-money, too, as short underdogs at home. While it is generally low-scoring in a Game 7, expect to see at least six total goals. Over 5.5 is a surprisingly low number based on the results of the past two games in this series.
As far as player props, I am feeling Wyatt Johnston at home as an anytime goal scorer for the chance to more than double up on your initial wager. He has picked up the pace with two goals and four points in the past two games, including two goals and three points in Game 5 on Monday in the most recent appearance at American Airlines Center.
Including Nathan MacKinnon to simply notch one point (-350) takes this parlay from +630 to +866 odds. Do not bet this straight up, though. Include it only as part of the same-game parlay. You cannot risk 3.5 times your potential return on a straight-up bet.
Parlay Odds: +866
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: