Maybe it’s time to start the ask the question if home ice advantage can actually be a bad thing. Dallas earned the #1 seed in the West, but they’ve lost their series openers at home to Vegas, Colorado, and now Edmonton following the Oilers’ 3-2 double OT win on Thursday which gave them a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals heading into Game 2 Oilers at Stars betting.
Of course what goes without saying with the Stars’ losses in the series openers against the Golden Knights and the Avalanche is that Dallas eventually came back to “survive and advance.” Edmonton already has a game in hand and has taken home ice advantage, do they go up 2-0 as +116 underdogs or do the Stars have value at -140 to even up the series?
Why the Oilers Have Value on Saturday
You shouldn’t have to coax too many bettors into taking a team with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and a bunch of other star-studded individuals to take the Oilers at plus money. Game 1 was a close one, but isn’t Game 2 shaping up to be the same situation so why not take the plus money?
The thing about the big names on Edmonton is that they’re not just hype – they perform. McDavid had the game winning goal in double overtime along with an assist, Draisaitl found the back of the net and has a point in every game this postseason.
While the Edmonton offense is definitely scary, don’t forget about the fellow in net as Stuart Skinner stopped 31 of 33 shots on Thursday night. The Oilers goaltender had some issues earlier this postseason, but has now allowed just 5 total goals in two wins over the Canucks and the Game 1 win against Dallas.
Why the Stars Have Value on Saturday
The home struggles for the Stars this postseason have been well documented, but really that’s just the series opener. Dallas lost Games 1 and 2 to Vegas only to win two on the road and two at home to eliminate the defending the Stanley Cup Champions.
Dallas dropped the season opener at home, but it’s not like they played horribly. The Stars fought back from a 2-goal deficit and nearly took a 1-0 series lead if not for Jason Robertson’s shot barely missing the net and hitting the post in Game 1. Most people think the Stars will be just fine.
Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger took the loss in Game 1 but he still stopped 35 of 38 shots. Oettinger has allowed just a single goal in three of his last five starts, but it should be noted that all of those solid outings were on the road. There’s something about playing at home that has bothered this guy lately.
Free Game 2 Oilers at Stars Betting Pick
There is absolutely no value on the Stars at this price. It’s very possible they tie up the series 1-1, but Oettinger has been iffy at home and the Oilers have a relentless offensive attack. Might as well take the value.
Free Pick: Oilers +116
