Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Finals is set to take place on Thursday night between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. All four of the remaining teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have a good chance to win the title, and that will bring some drama.
Edmonton comes into this series having survived a huge matchup with the Vancouver Canucks in a thrilling seven game series. The Oilers have struggled to find playoff success in recent years, but they have been playing great hockey.
Dallas was able to dispatch the Colorado Avalanche in the previous round, and they were impressive in doing so. The Stars won the Central Division this season, and that will give them home ice advantage in this series.
The Dallas Stars are moneyline favorites at -130 on Thursday night, and the over/under line is set at 6.5 total goals.
Oilers Want to Score
The Edmonton Oilers are a team that is loaded with offensive weapons, and they can put points on the board in a hurry. Edmonton is nearly unstoppable on the power play, and they will be looking to cash in throughout the series.
Connor McDavid leads the way with 19 assists for the Oilers, and Leon Draisaitl has racked up 24 points so far in the postseason. This Oilers team will be extremely aggressive on offense, and that will be something to watch.
Edmonton is not a great defensive team, but they have been doing just enough on that side of the ice to win games so far in the playoffs.
Oettinger Setting Table For Stars
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger has been a star throughout the postseason as he has stopped nearly 92% of shots faced during the run. Oettinger has allowed this Dallas team to take some chances on offense, and that is something that has helped them score more goals.
Center Wyatt Johnston is leading the way with seven goals in the playoffs, but there have been others that have stepped up as well. Dallas will need to control the puck in this game and then look for good scoring opportunities.
This series has the potential to be played at a fast pace, but that’s exactly what the Dallas Stars are trying to prevent.
Stars Take Series Opener
This is going to be a thrilling series in the Western Conference Finals and the Oilers can win a game on the road. Game 2 might be an option, but you should expect to see a weary and fatigued Oilers team in this game.
Dallas has been great on defense throughout the playoffs, and that is going to be a major key as they look to make a statement in this matchup. The Stars have plenty of weapons on offense as well, but it will be the defense and goaltending that sets the tone.
Bet the Dallas Stars at -130 on the moneyline to win the series opener, and take the under 6.5 total goals in this matchup.
