The Winnipeg Jets are set to face off against the Dallas Stars in the opening game of their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs conference semifinal series this Wednesday. Both teams advanced after hard-fought seven-game series in the first round. Dallas overcame the Colorado Avalanche with a 4-2 victory in Game 7 on Saturday, while Winnipeg secured a dramatic 4-3 overtime win in their Game 7 matchup against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. Game 1 is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
According to the latest odds, Dallas enters the game as a -125 moneyline favorite, meaning you`d risk $125 to win $100. Winnipeg is listed as a +105 underdog, where a $100 bet could win $105. The total goals over/under is set at 5.5, and Dallas is favored on the puck line at -1.5 with +202 odds. For expert analysis and picks, consider the predictions from SportsLine`s validated model.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each NHL game 10,000 times, has a strong track record. Heading into the conference semifinals of the 2025 NHL playoffs, it holds a combined record of 78-55 on top-rated puck-line and over/under bets, yielding profits exceeding $1,500 for those wagering $100 per pick. This performance indicates potential positive returns for bettors following its recommendations.
Game 1 Betting Predictions
Prediction: Over 5.5 Total Goals (-130)
The first round saw high-scoring games, with the Over hitting in four of Dallas` seven games and six of Winnipeg`s seven. Winnipeg`s starting goalie, Vezina finalist Connor Hellebuyck, had a 3.85 goals-against average in the first round and was pulled from two consecutive starts after allowing five and six goals. Injuries on the Jets` defense, with Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley questionable, could further strain Winnipeg`s defensive efforts. Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen is also questionable with a knee injury. The model`s simulations also strongly support the Over.
Player Prop: Mikko Rantanen to Record 2+ Points (+230)
Mikko Rantanen was instrumental in Dallas` first-round victory over the Avalanche, particularly stepping up in the absence of leading scorer Jason Robertson. He posted an impressive 11 points (five goals, six assists) over the final three games of that series, highlighted by a Game 7 hat trick. Historically, Rantanen performs well against the Jets, with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 31 career matchups, including a goal and an assist against them this past regular season.
Player Prop: Kyle Connor Anytime Goal Scorer (+140)
Kyle Connor netted four goals across seven games in the first round. While his last goal came in Game 5, he faces a Dallas Stars team he found success against during the 2024-25 regular season, scoring four goals in four games. Betting on Connor to score at any point in Game 1 offers +140 odds.
