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First-Period Total
Pick
Under 1.5, 1st Period (+100)
Jonny Lazarus: The Seattle Kraken and Dallas Stars have had a phenomenal, back-and-forth series that will, unfortunately, end as these teams are getting set to play in a winner-take-all Game 7.
The Kraken have already won a Game 7 on the road while the Stars will be playing in their first of the postseason. Typically, what decides a Game 7 is the team that makes more mistakes. And in the first period, in games like this, both teams don’t necessarily take any risks.
In the Kraken’s last Game 7, with the Colorado Avalanche, neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes of the game. I am getting a similar vibe for this battle.
The pressure is on for Phillipp Grubauer and Jake Oettinger, who will be minding the goals for their respective teams. The Kraken’s Grubauer has been a pleasant surprise in these playoffs, skating to a .901 save percentage along with a 3.05 goals against average while boasting a +1.2 goals saved above expected.
For the Stars, Oettinger will be playing in his second-ever Game 7, and if it goes anything like the first one, the Stars will be in good shape. Last year the Stars were in Calgary for a Game 7, where Oettinger made 64 saves with a 1.81 goals against average and a .954 save percentage. Unfortunately, the team lost 3-2 in overtime, but Oettinger was outstanding.
This postseason, the Seattle Kraken are averaging only 0.91 goals against in first periods while the Stars are allowing 0.72 in that same span. The first period of a Game 7 is typically a feeling-out process, and that is what I am expecting in this game.
Both goalies have been the backbones of their team in the first two rounds, and I expect them to show up in a game like this where their team needs them most. I expect a low-scoring game, which will all start in the opening frame.
I love the under in the first period, which comes at even money.