The Winnipeg Jets need a Game 2 win to avoid heading south down 0-2 to the Dallas Stars in Round 2.
All eyes will be on Canada Life Centre as the two clubs hit the ice tonight, with Mikko Rantanen continuing to headline the offensive surge for Dallas.
My top NHL picks for Friday, May 9, have you covered for tonight’s Central Division Clash in the ‘Peg.
Best Stars vs Jets props
Rantanen o2.5 shots (-110)- Oettinger o26.5 saves (-105)
Ehlers o2.5 shots (-135)
Stars vs Jets player props for May 9
Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots (-110 at Bet99)
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen has recorded 3+ shots in six of eight playoff games to rank in the 99th percentile of forwards in SOG.
He’s shown off throughout the postseason to pace the Stars in both shots (29) and attempts (48), and Rantanen is benefiting from being a go-to shooter with the man advantage and averaging 3:19 of power-play time per game.
I was also impressed to see Rantanen and linemates Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund tilt the ice in their favor at five-on-five, boasting a 54.3 Corsi For percentage and 57.1% shot share in the series opener after recording respective 43.3% and 45.5% marks against Colorado in Round 1.
Jake Oettinger Over 26.5 saves (-105 at Bet99)
The Stars have been allowing shots in bunches since No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen sustained a knee injury. Dallas finished the regular season with a 30th-ranked 46.2 CF% at 5-on-5 while allowing the most shots per game (32.8) across the 32-game stretch.
It’s been more of the same through eight postseason games, with the Stars sporting a 42.6 CF% and allowing 34.0 shots per game.
As a result, I like Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger to stack up the tallies in the saves column tonight. He’s posted a solid .914 SV% with 5.65 goals saved above expected during the playoffs, and I expect the Winnipeg Jets to emphasize getting pucks on net tonight.
Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots (-135 at Bet99)
Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers recorded fewer than three shots for the first time this postseason in Game 1 — but he did register seven attempts, so the volume was there. As noted, the Stars have been giving up shots and attempts in bunches dating back to the regular season, and Ehlers is skating in an offensive role.
In addition to jumping the boards with the No. 2 line, Ehlers is also a go-to shooter on the No. 1 power-play unit, and he also paces the Jets in attempts (28) since returning from injury in Game 6 against St. Louis.
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