The Oilers turned out the lights on the Stars by stealing a Game 1 double overtime victory on Thursday night and, based on our NHL odds, seem like they are primed to do it all over again when the teams return to the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Saturday night.
Let’s take a closer look at our analysis before cashing in at top-rated sportsbooks.Â
NHL Pick
- Oilers ML (+115) at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at American Airlines Center
Key Facts
- Edmonton is 4-2 against Dallas over their last 6 meetings.
- Edmonton is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
- Edmonton is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road.
McDavid Does It Again
If you anticipated a fierce Game 1 battle between the Oilers and the Stars on Thursday night, then you got exactly what you wanted. After a scoreless first period, the Oilers drew first blood when Leon Draisaitl lit the lamp for his ninth goal of the postseason followed by Zach Hyman’s 12th playoff tally just three minutes later.
However, the Stars would counter as Tyler Seguin cut the lead in half with his fourth of the season with just over six minutes gone in the second period. As the teams entered the third period, it would be Seguin who saved the day for Dallas, at least temporarily, with his second goal of the game coming with under four minutes remaining.
The teams were knotted at two apiece when Connor McDavid was whistled for a double-minor penalty only seconds into the first overtime. The Oilers successfully killed that penalty before McDavid atoned for his sin just 32 seconds into the second overtime with a tip-in game-winning goal to give the Oilers a pivotal 1-0 series lead entering Saturday night’s rematch at American Airlines Center.
Oilers Ignite
Edmonton is the most explosive team in the league and their only Achilles heel has been on defense. However, the defense was tight on Thursday night and Stuart Skinner turned aside 31 of 33 shots. Meanwhile, the Oilers peppered Stars goalie, Jake Oettinger, with 38 shots and still managed to win the game despite killing 10 minutes worth of penalties to only two minutes whistled on Dallas.
If the Oilers’ defense is clicking, then I’ll take them to beat any team in the league. I realize the Stars are an elite club in their own right, but they don’t have the goal-scoring depth that the Oilers boast.
The Pick
Lastly, we should also note that Edmonton has killed 20 consecutive penalties over their last five-plus games. The Oilers are also tops in penalty killing in the postseason, extinguishing 92.5% (37 of 40) of those man-down situations.
Take the juice the books are offering and bet the Oilers.
NHL Pick: Oilers ML (+115) at Caesars Sportsbook
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