Free NHL Picks Today: Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche 3/4/23

The Colorado Avalanche (34-20-5) are on the road to face the Dallas Stars (33-16-13) at American Airlines Center on Saturday. Colorado is coming off a high-scoring 7-5 loss against the Devils on Wednesday, ending a run of six straight wins. The Avalanche committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal.

Nathan MacKinnon was the top goalscorer for the Avalanche with two goals. Justus Annunen saved only 22 of 28 shots against (.785%) in the loss.Dallas beat the Blackhawks 5-2 on Thursday. Roope Hintz was the leading goal scorer for the Stars, netting a hat trick. Matt Murray surrendered two goals on 21 shots (.904%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Avalanche have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting in November. Josh Manson led Colorado with two points (1G 1A). Joe Pavelski scored Dallas’ only goal. Alexandar Georgiev got the win, saving 41 of 42 shots (.976%).

FACING OFF

Colorado is averaging 3.15 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Stars team that is allowing just 2.58 goals a game (3rd).

Meanwhile, Dallas has found the net 3.24 times a game on average, 14th in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 2.73 goals per game (9th).

The Stars’ 23.28% power play percentage ranks eighth in the league, while the Avalanche are 11th with a conversion rate of 22.87%. Dallas has been stronger at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 83.33%. Colorado ranks 19th at 77.22%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

MacKinnon (73 points), Mikko Rantanen (72), and Cale Makar (45) have been the top skaters this season for the Avalanche. Rantanen is among the league leaders with his 41 goals (3rd), while MacKinnon is among the league leaders with his 49 assists (9th).

Makar has been another offensive leader for Colorado, scoring 13 and assisting 32. In the net, Pavel Francouz (7-7-1) is Colorado’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.53 GAA and a .919% save percentage. Georgiev (26-12-4) leads the Avalanche in games played in goal.

He has a GAA of 2.57 and a save percentage of .921%.Jason Robertson leads the Stars in scoring with 76 points. He has 35 goals (10th) and 41 assists. Jake Oettinger (25-8-10) has the best goals against average for Dallas at 2.29, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .923%, fourth-best.