The Avs have been the better team in this series. Dallas has home ice, and a significant experience advantage in net. That said, Colorado has more depth and is in better shape health-wise. I believe the winner of this game will go on to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. I am backing the Avalanche to win Game 7.

This hasn't been the defensive series many expected, instead a fast-paced barnburner as the Stars especially have seemed to figure out ways thru the Avs defense. Some insiders believe that this is partly of function of trade deadline add Mikko Rantanen simply getting comfortable in his new surroundings; Rantanen, with Colorado until near midseason before a brief interlude with Carolina, leads all Dallas scorers with eight points in these playoffs, as his work beneath the goal has proven a problem for Colorado. The Avs, however, routinely put 40 shots on Jake Oettinger in this series, and don't forget close-out dynamics, as trailing teams have often become quite desperate when there's no tomorrow, and pulling goalies late has often resulted in inflated scorelines. Play Avs-Stars "Over"

Not much better than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Why would I not take Dallas getting +1 Saturday at home priced -135 when Colorado is slightly more expensive as a road moneyline favorite? I think this should basically be a pick'em, so I'll happily take it. There is some talk that excellent Stars blueliner Miro Heiskanen could make his series debut Saturday off a knee injury. Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger has been in this position before. Colorado's Mackenzie Blackwood has not. Dallas is 5-3 all-time in home Game 7s. Colorado is 2-5 in road Game 7s.