The Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night, as the COVID-19 “bubble” holding the postseason only has a few days remaining. The Stars won Game 1 of the final, 4-1 but were routed in Games 2 and 3. In Game 4, Dallas got out to a 2-0 lead but coughed it up, ending up 5-4 losers in overtime. Facing elimination, the Stars delivered in overtime in Game 5, forcing a sixth game on Monday night. Can the Stars force a Game 7, or will the heavily favored Lightning hoist the Cup on Monday?
Take a look at our NHL betting preview.
NHL: Stanley Cup Final Preview (Game 6)
Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning (Lightning lead, 3-2)
Game Details
Monday, September 28, 2020, 8:00 pm ET
Rogers Centre, Toronto
KTCK 1310 AM Dallas / WFLA 970 AM Tampa Bay
Odds for the Game
Tampa Bay -162 /
Dallas +140 | Check the NHL Odds
Why should you Bet on Dallas?
Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski were the latest heroes for Dallas on Saturday night. Perry had two goals in Game 5, including the game-winner in overtime. Pavelski scored a huge goal in the last two minutes of the third period, tying the game at two. That helped Pavelski break the record for NHL playoff goals by an American-born player. Pavelski also dropped to the ice to block a shot in the first overtime.
Anton Khudobin stood tall once again in net, allowing just two goals on 41 shots. That was a needed return to form by the Stars’ netminder, who continues to play in relief of starter Ben Bishop, who has only made one appearance in these playoffs, a short-lived stint in goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. Khudobin’s saver percentage had dipped below 85 percent through the first four games of the Stanley Cup Finals, and if he is back to standing on his head, the Stars could steal Game 6 — and maybe even Game 7.
Why should you Put your Money on the Lightning?
Khudobin has been getting the press for his play in goal for Dallas, but Andrei Vasilevskiy has a lower GAA (1.97) and a higher save percentage (.925) in the playoffs than does Khudobin (2.72, .917). Vasilevskiy had 30 saves in Game 5, but that overtime goal from Perry managed to dribble through. Vasilevskiy also let in four Dallas goals each in Games 1 and 4.
The Lightning had a brief boost when captain Steven Stamkos returned after a lengthy absence due to injury. He is listed as questionable for Game 6, along with defensemen Zach Bogosian and Luke Schenn. That is a lot shorter injury list than what Dallas has, with wingers Roope Hintz and Blake Comeau, center Radek Faksa, and defensemen Taylor Fedun, Martin Hanzal, Roman Polak and Stephen Johns all questionable — and that’s with starting goalie Ben Bishop already listed as out. So the Lightning have more depth, and they also have more speed in their attack.
Final Score and Prediction
Dallas got by Colorado and Vegas in the Western Conference semifinals and finals using their lockdown defense, as Colorado and Vegas had more powerful offenses but could not break Dallas’ neutral-zone trap frequently enough to win the series. Tampa Bay has an even more high-octane offense than the Avalanche or the Golden Knights, and the Stars have struggled to keep pace. Having the off day Sunday will help, and I see Khudobin standing tall again.
I predict a final score of Dallas 3, Tampa Bay 2. | Check the Odds
