NHL Preview: Stars vs Avalanche Predictions, Picks & Odds Tonight
The Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET and the game will air on TNT.
Top pick and reasoning
Todd Cordell of Filmogaz.com projects Nathan MacKinnon will score. The recommended prop is MacKinnon over 0.5 goals at -125. An alternate best bet listed is MacKinnon anytime goal at +100.
MacKinnon leads the league in shot attempts and shots on target. He also ranks among the NHL goal leaders.
Head-to-head trends
MacKinnon has found the net in eight of the last nine meetings with Dallas. That stretch includes six straight games with a goal.
Across those nine contests he produced 45 shots on goal and 78 shot attempts. Those numbers average to 5.0 shots and 8.66 attempts per game.
Support plays and same-game parlay
A same-game parlay suggested by Cordell pairs three outcomes. The SGP includes MacKinnon anytime goal, Cale Makar over 0.5 assists, and Thomas Harley over 1.5 blocked shots.
Cale Makar has logged 26 or more minutes in five straight games versus Dallas. He recorded an assist in seven of the last ten contests in which MacKinnon scored.
Defense and shot-blocking notes
Thomas Harley has blocked multiple shots in 16 of 20 games facing top-10 shot-generation teams. He posted two or more blocks in seven straight matchups with Colorado.
Odds and market lines
| Moneyline | Stars +125 | Avalanche -145 |
| Puck Line | Stars +1.5 (-190) | Avalanche -1.5 (+160) |
| Over/Under | Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125) |
Odds were current at publishing and may change before puck drop. Check your sportsbook for updates.
Game logistics
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. ET. Broadcast: TNT.
Why this matters for bettors
This preview combines player form and matchup history. It highlights why bettors might lean toward MacKinnon and correlated plays.
For readers seeking deeper context, this NHL Preview: Stars vs Avalanche Predictions, Picks & Odds Tonight lays out the primary angles. Filmogaz.com will monitor injury reports and market moves before the game.
About the analyst
Todd Cordell is a data-driven betting analyst. He specializes in NHL shot props and previously covered the sport for other outlets.
