Stars and Avalanche square off to begin the NHL Playoffs

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Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (50-26-6, in the Central Division)

Dallas; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Avalanche -124, Stars +104; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Stars host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars host the Colorado Avalanche to begin the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Sunday for the fourth time this season. The Avalanche went 2-1 against the Stars in the regular season. In their last regular season matchup on March 16, the Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime.

Dallas has a 50-26-6 record overall and a 15-8-3 record in Central Division games. The Stars have a 22-11-3 record in games their opponents commit more penalties.

Colorado is 49-29-4 overall with a 12-12-2 record against the Central Division. The Avalanche have scored 273 total goals (3.3 per game) to rank sixth in league play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mikko Rantanen has scored 32 goals with 56 assists for the Stars. Tyler Seguin has two goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.

Nathan MacKinnon has 32 goals and 84 assists for the Avalanche. Rantanen has scored three goals with five assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Stars: 3-5-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

Avalanche: 5-4-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.1 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.

INJURIES: Stars: None listed.

Avalanche: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.