Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 3/18/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude Sports

The Dallas Stars (42-15-10) are on their way to Ball Arena on Wednesday where they will try to defeat the Colorado Avalanche (44-13-9).

The Dallas Stars had a rough game after their 6-3 defeat against the Mammoth in their previous game. Dallas garnered 16 mins in the box in this contest. The Stars had a middle of the road offensive outing in the defeat. Furthermore, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to net one. For the game, they scored on 3 out of the 30 shots they put on goal.

In reference to their scoring capabilities, the Dallas Stars have notched 231 goals (3rd in pro hockey) for the year and have given up 180. For the current season, they have 94 points and their points percentage is sitting at .701. Dallas has tallied 203 power play chances and they have tallied 60 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 29.56%. At even strength, the Stars let the opposition score 141 goals while scoring 171 of their own. Dallas has attempted 1,735 shots and holds a shot percentage of 13.3%. The Stars so far have had 1,766 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .898. Dallas Stars opponents have earned 204 power play opportunities (9th in pro hockey) and have come away with 39 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the net in this game is Jake Oettinger. Oettinger has been involved in 294 contests during his pro hockey career. He has compiled a record of 177-76-32 and he has started in 285 games. The opposition has been able to score 720 goals versus Oettinger in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.53. Oettinger has seen 8,028 shot attempts against him and has recorded 7,308 saves. He has a save percentage of .910 during his 13,410 minutes in the crease. Over the course of his pro career, Oettinger has 168 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .589.

In their last contest, Colorado went up against the Penguins in a game where the Avalanche were on the wrong end of the score by a final score of 7-2. They had 4 attempts on the power play in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Avalanche earned 2 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they attempted.

So far this year, the Colorado Avalanche have 246 goals, 97 points, and a points percentage of .735. They have allowed 165 goals to be scored by way of 132 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. The Avalanche have accumulated 212 goals at even strength and 34 goals (22nd in the league) while on the power play. They have a tally of 215 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 15.81%. Colorado has put up 2,227 shots (1st in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.05%, while allowing the other team 1,744 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 82.45% on their opponents 188 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 90.5%.

Across the rink you will find Mackenzie Blackwood in the crease. Opponents are averaging 2.91 goals/game and he has relinquished 769 goals in total. Blackwood's quality start rate is 56.4% and he has made 149 quality starting assignments in his career. He has been a starter 264 contests and has played 13,424 mins. Blackwood has accrued a lifetime record of 121-111-29 and has played in 282 games. He has accounted for 7,368 saves out of the 8,137 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .905.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Colorado

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