The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet Thursday in the NHL playoffs Game 5 at the American Airlines Center. Here’s a Stars vs Oilers Prediction. This article will include a Stars vs Oilers Pick.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Preview
The Edmonton Oilers look to make the finals for a second straight season. The Oilers are 11-2 in their last 13 games since losing their first two playoff games. Three of the Oilers four playoff losses have come on the road.
The Edmonton Oilers are averaging 3.93 goals per game and are scoring 29 percent of their power play opportunities. Leon Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 7 goals, Connor McDavid has 19 assists, and Evan Bouchard has 36 shots on goal. Defensively, the Edmonton Oilers are allowing 2.8 goals per game and are killing 66.7 percent of their opponents’ power plays. Stuart Skinner has given up 22 goals on 244 shots faced, and Calvin Pickard has allowed 19 goals on 170 shots.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars need a win to force a game 6 on Saturday. The Stars are 7-2 at home in these playoffs. The Stars have lost 15 games since April 5.
The Dallas Stars are averaging 2.47 goals per game and are scoring 31.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Mikko Rantanen leads Dallas with 9 goals, Thomas Harley has 8 assists, and Roope Hintz has 36 shots on goal. Defensively, the Dallas Stars are allowing 3.18 goals per game and are killing 80.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Oettinger has allowed 46 goals on 501 shots faced, and Casey DeSmith has given up 1 goal on 14 shots.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The home team has won eight of the Stars’ last nine games.
- The Oilers have lost three of their last four games at American Airlines Center following a win.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games at American Airlines Center against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Oilers have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last 10 road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Oilers have lost the third period in each of their last eight games at American Airlines Center following a win.
Why the Edmonton Oilers will win
- The Oilers have won each of their last six games as road underdogs following a home win.
- The Stars have lost eight of their last 12 games as favorites.
- The Oilers have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs following a home win.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Oilers have won the second period in each of their last seven games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Mikko Rantanen has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances in playoff games when facing elimination.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances in playoff games when facing elimination.
- Miro Heiskanen has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Stars as favorites.
- Esa Lindell ranks T2nd in the Central Division for Plus/Minus (+34) this season.
Edmonton Oilers Player Prop Facts
- Viktor Arvidsson has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances with his team as a road underdog against Central Division opponents.
- Leon Draisaitl has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight road appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Evan Bouchard has recorded at least one point in each of the Oilers’ last 12 road games against Central Division opponents.
- Leon Draisaitl ranks 1st in the league for Goals (52) this season.
Stars vs Oilers Injury Report
The Oilers will be without Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, and Alec Regula.
The Stars will be without Nils Lundkvist.
Stars vs Oilers Prediction
The Stars should be favored at home, where they’ve won 35 games this season, so I wouldn’t talk you off the ledge if leaning in that direction. However, we’re getting plus money with the Oilers, who have been on a tear throughout the playoffs, winning 11 of their last 13 games. The Oilers have badly outplayed the Stars in the last three games, outscoring them 13-2. I’m just not in the business of backing a team just because they have to win it to save their season. Teams go home early all the time in the playoffs. We’re getting the more favorable price with the hotter, better team. Give me the Oilers on Thursday night.