Wild vs Stars Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NHL Playoffs Game 1 (Jason Robertson Leads Dallas to Victory)

The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs officially begin on Monday, April 17. The day's schedule includes the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars playing Game 1 of their series as the Central Division rivals are set to clash at American Airlines Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Wild vs Stars Game 1 Info

• Date: Monday, April 17, 2023
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: American Airlines Center -- Dallas, Texas
• Coverage: ESPN2

As division foes, the Wild and Stars collide three times during the 2022-23 regular season. Although they each one two games apiece, it was Dallas that picked up at least one point in each of the meetings, whereas both of Minnesota's losses came in regulation.

Can the Wild begin the series with an upset victory? Or will home-ice advantage help lift the Stars to a 1-0 series lead?

Wild vs Stars Odds & Spread

• All NHL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: MIN: (+122) | DAL: (-146)
• Spread: MIN: +1.5 (-225) | DAL: -1.5 (+184)
• Total: 5.5 -- Over: (+100) | Under: (-122)

The Stars enter this contest as home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 9:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 5.5 goals with the under being favored at -122 odds.

Wild vs Stars Betting Trends

• Minnesota is 2-4 straight up in its last six road games.
• Dallas is 8-1 straight up in its last nine games against the Central Division.
• The total has hit the under in seven of Minnesota's last 10 road games against Dallas.
• The total has hit the under in five of Dallas' last six home games.

Wild vs Stars Prediction & Pick

The Stars are on fire as they enter the postseason. They've won eight of their last nine games, including the last six in a row. They've completely obliterated the competition during their winning streak, outscoring their last six opponents 22-6. Jason Robertson paces his team with eight assists and 12 points over that span, showing no signs of slowing down.

While the Wild are solid, they haven't look that way lately. Dean Evason's club has lost five of its last seven outings, as well as four of their previous eight on the road. They're only averaging 2.57 goals over their last seven matchups and now have to face Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, who's gone 7-1-0 with a 1.43 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and one shutout in his last eight outings.

The Wild are looking vulnerable, meaning the Stars can't let this opportunity slip by them. Back Dallas to prove why it's the favorite in this series.

Final Score Prediction: Stars: 4 | Wild: 2

Wild vs Stars Best Bet

If the Stars are going to win, they'll need Jason Robertson to continue his impressive playmaking trend. Not only did he record a career-high 63 assists this season, but he's tallied 13 helpers over his last eight games alone. He also has four assists in as many games against the Wild this season, finishing with at least one in three encounters.

With eight assists in his last 10 home games, I'd be shocked if Robertson doesn't end the night with at least one.

Bet: Jason Robertson — Assists: Over 0.5 (+100)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.