Kudos to the Minnesota Wild for fighting back against the Dallas Stars. They're clearly overmatched on the ice, but after showing no signs of offense whatsoever for seven periods, they scored five times in a span of just over 22 minutes to take Game 3 and get back into the series.
The Wild though, have plenty of work to do. They really need this game to level this series, or they're going to head back to Dallas, a place where the Stars haven't lost in over a month, facing a must-win in Game 5.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Game 3 was basically a pick 'em, and Game 4 will very likely be the same way. The pressure is shifted back to Dallas, and the oddsmakers and bettors are sure to see that as well.
However, a popular bet will very likely be Dallas on the puck-line as a favorite. Though we expect a close game, it's clear to us that the Stars are the more likely team to win a blowout.
GOALIE REPORT
Devan Dubnyk got his first win in this series on Monday night, but it wasn't exactly a stellar effort. He allowed three goals on just 17 shots on the night. Good offense though, covers up a rough effort by a goalie just as a great goaltending effort covers a suspect offense as we see time and time again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Dubnyk now has just a 2.69 GAA in the postseason, and that won't cut it to level up this series.
Kari Lehtonen was cruising right along in this series, but he ended up in bad shape in Game 3, allowing four goals on 24 shots. He hasn't had to face more than 26 shots in a game in this series though, and that's a good sign for him going forward.
LIVE BETTING
We've said all series long that the Wild need their stars to play like stars, and Jason Pominville finally did so on Monday night. He had two goals and a helper, and he and Erik Haula were fantastic, especially in that second period.
Still, the big boys aren't getting nearly enough shots and chances going forward, and with Zach Parise still a question mark, Pominville and Haula are once again going to have to be out of this world to counter one of the best offenses in the NHL.
QUICK PICK
The Stars had a rough period and change, but their offense is still showing signs of forward-thinking. Sure, they didn't get more than seven shots in any given period on Monday, but we know they're capable of being much more explosive.
Now that Patrick Sharp has gotten going with his two goals in Game 3, we think Dallas will really have its act together. If the Stars get an early flurry of goals in this game as they got in Game 3, they won't blow the lead for the second straight game.
We expect this series to be over in five games at this point, especially if Parise isn't able to come back into the lineup in a hurry and be effective.
NHL Odds: Stars 5, Wild 2
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 4 of the series between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild will start at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Xcel Energy Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
