NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Stars vs Kraken Game 6 (Saturday, May 13)

Stars vs. Kraken Odds

Game 6 gets underway on Saturday evening in this NHL Western Conference series with the Seattle Kraken hosting the Dallas Stars.

Dallas has turned this series on its head, winning three of the past four games. Will the Stars finish things off on the road, or can Seattle force a Game 7?

Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Stars vs. Kraken betting pick.

Dallas Stars

A big part of the Dallas Stars' success during this series has been the play of their elite blue line. Over their three wins in this round, the Stars have held the Seattle Kraken to an average of just 2.3 goals scored per game.

Spearheaded by one of the best defensmen in the world, Miro Heiskanen, Dallas has been one of the toughest teams to find high-danger scoring chances against in the second half of the season. Since the Christmas break, the Stars rank second in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

That elite defensive play has continued into the postseason as Dallas has allowed two or fewer goals in five of its past eight games. At 5-on-5 during this postseason push, Dallas ranks second among the remaining seven playoff teams in xGA/60.

Seattle Kraken

Seattle's offense is starting to cool down, which is bad news for its chances in Game 6. This offense has been due for regression for quite some time and it's finally coming to fruition.

At 5-on-5 during the regular season, the Kraken ranked first in the league in goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60), but were just 20th in xGF/60. While Seattle's depth is its greatest asset and has kept the team alive thus far, its inconsistent ability to generate high-danger scoring chances at even-strength continues to be a dark cloud hanging over the Kraken.

Among the seven remaining teams, Seattle ranks last this postseason in xGF/60 at 5-on-5. Series-deciding games are often decided by the best players on each club.

The double-edged sword for the Kraken is that they are so incredibly deep that they can roll all four forward lines, but they do not have a true star to lean on. Even in Games 6 and 7 of the first round against Colorado, they scored two or fewer goals in each contest.

Stars vs. Kraken Pick

Backing up Dallas' strong blue line is goaltender Jake Oettinger, who put together another dominant campaign in 2023. Through 62 appearances in the crease during the regular season, Oettinger posted a 37-11-11 record with a .919 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.37 goals against average (GAA).

Oettinger's play has slipped a bit in this round, which is why this total is set at six instead of 5.5. However, it is far more likely that he turns things around than continues to struggle given his consistent dominance over the past two years.

Dallas can put away Seattle in this pivotal Game 6, and it wouldn't be surprising if Heiskanen and Oettinger play a large part in that.

Pick: Kraken Team Total Under 2.5 (+100 | Play up to -110)