Golden Knights vs Stars Game 3 Odds & Picks – Sept. 10

• The Vegas Golden Knights have evened up their playoff series with the Dallas Stars (1-1)
• Game 3 of the Western Conference Final will be played on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8:00 PM ET
• See below for game preview and betting advice

After winning Game 2 to even up the series, the Vegas Golden Knights have opened as -159 favorites over the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. The Stars are being listed as +138 underdogs in the Golden Knights vs Stars odds.

The puck drops on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8:00 PM ET at Rogers Place in the Edmonton bubble. Which team is the best bet to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference Final?

Golden Knights vs Stars Game 3 Odds

Odds as of  Sep. 8.

The Golden Knights have been heavily favored in each game in this series. They were also listed as identical -159 favorites for Game 2.

Knights Offense Breaks Through

After being shutout in two of their last three games, the Golden Knights broke through in Game 2 against Dallas. Paul Stastny, William Karlsson, and Tomas Nosek all scored for the Knights to lead them to a 3-0 victory.

One of the biggest developments in this series for Vegas is that Stastny and Karlsson both got on the board in Game 2. Stasty hadn’t scored a non-empty-net goal since Game 2 against Chicago, while Karlsson had just one goal in his previous 10 games. Vegas has so many weapons on offense that they can manage when top-six forwards are slumping, but they are just that more dangerous when everyone is going.

Along with more offense, the Knights also got another strong goaltending performance in Game 2. After Marc-Andre Fleury played Game 1, the Knights turned back to starter Robin Lehner for Game 2. Lehner stopped all 24 shots he faced for his NHL-leading fourth shutout of the playoffs.

Can Stars Bounce Back?

The Stars were flying in a 1-0 victory in Game 1, but it was Vegas who controlled the play in Game 2. The Golden Knights had a rare off night in the opening game, but they returned to their usual dominant selves in Game 2. The Golden Knights had 12 high-danger chances in Game 2, while Dallas only had six.

Just a dandy from Dobby pic.twitter.com/yrCRRqyeZZ

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 9, 2020

The Stars are certainly talented enough to bounce back, but it’s tough to beat this Vegas team when they’re playing at their best. Not only has Vegas got its offense going, but they made some adjustments from Game 1 and found a way to neutralize the Stars’ forecheck.

One positive for the Stars is that goaltender Anton Khudobin got some rest in Game 2. Jake Oettinger, a 21-year-old rookie, got the call at the start of the third period after Khudobin was burned for three goals on 27 shots. Khudobin is playing the most hockey he’s ever played in his NHL career, so fatigue could become a real issue.

Bet Vegas for Game 3

Vegas appeared tired in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final after they controlled play and skated circles around the Canucks in a seven-game series in the previous round. It didn’t take them long to re-discover their mojo against Dallas.

After going 91:01 between goals against a goaltender, the @GoldenKnights scored three times in less than 10 minutes to take a 3-0 lead in Game 2.

They rank second in the NHL this postseason with a +11 goal differential in the third period. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/tYGypLDwrD

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 9, 2020

In Game 1, the Golden Knights managed just 12 shots in the first two periods. In Game 2, the roles were reversed and it was the Stars who had just 12 shots after 40 minutes. Vegas leads the entire playoffs in both Corsi and Fenwick, while Dallas ranks near the bottom. If you’re betting on one of these teams controlling the play the rest of the way, bet on it being Vegas.

Expect Vegas to ride the momentum and jump out to a 2-1 series lead. Vegas’ offense is close to unstoppable when it is at its best, and Stastny and Karlsson gaining confidence spells trouble for Dallas. It is also worth noting that the Stars dropped both of their Game 3s against Calgary and Colorado.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-159)