The Western Conference Final is set! The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in their second-round series. The Oilers will now face off against the top-seeded Dallas Stars for a chance to go to the Stanley Cup Final. Let’s get right into our Western Conference Final betting preview with odds, picks, and predictions for this Stars vs. Oilers series.
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NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Stars vs. Oilers
Stars vs. Oilers Odds
Dallas Stars (-125) | Edmonton Oilers (+115)
Stars -1.5 Games (+170) | Oilers +1.5 Games (-195)
Over 5.5 Games (-177) | Under 5.5 Games (+140)
The Stars come in as slight favorites against the Oilers in the Western Conference Final. Odds of -125 imply a 55.56% chance of advancing, while +115 implies a 46.51% chance.
Stars vs. Oilers Picks & Predictions
The Dallas Stars got a scare right at the start of the playoffs from the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars dropped their first two postseason games at home to the reigning Stanley Cup champs. Then they stormed back to take the series in seven games.
Their path didn’t get much easier in the second round as they faced off against the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. Once again the Stars lost Game 1 at home but won the next three before closing out the series in Game 6 in double overtime.
Jake Oettinger (8-5-0, .918 SV%, 2.09 GAA) has been stellar between the pipes for the Stars, although he’s had one clunker in each of the first two rounds. It’s usually early in the series before he locks in later on.
The Stars boast strong depth, with Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston recording double-digit points through 13 games. Dallas has nine players with at least six points thus far, including point leader Miro Heiskanen, who does his damage from the blue line with five goals and eight assists.
Dallas’ depth will be paramount against the top-heavy Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers, of course, are led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl up front, with Zach Hyman leading the playoffs in goals thus far. Evan Bouchard has once again emerged as a threat from the blue line, but after that, it dries up a bit.
Edmonton’s X-factor is going to be defense and goaltending. The Oilers aren’t the most reliably built team and turned to Calvin Pickard for two games against the Canucks. Stuart Skinner took the cage back for Games 6 and 7 to turn into strong performances to advance.
Still, the Oilers’ star power will only do so much against the Stars. Dallas’ depth, defense, and goaltending should win out here to send the Stars to their first Stanley Cup Final since the bubble in 2020.
Stars vs. Oilers Pick: Stars (-125)
Stars vs. Oilers Prediction: Stars in 5 (+600) | Stars in 6 (+550)