Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars
Season Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-2 Stars
TV: TNT, TruTV, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
The second Conference Final series starts up tonight with the Oilers trying to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada. However, the Stars provide the opposition and the West’s top seed. Edmonton is trying to be the first Canadian team since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 to hoist the silver chalice.
The Oilers survived a seven-game struggle against the Vancouver Canucks to reach the Western Final. Dallas beat the Colorado Avalanche is six games to cement its place in the last four. Let’s take a look at the story heading into Game 1 of the West Final.
The Oilers Story
Edmonton does boast four of the top-five point-getters so far this post-season. Leon Draisaitl leads the way in points with 24 while Connor McDavid is second with 21. McDavid was held with points in three games for the first time in a series since the Anaheim Ducks did it in 2017. However, other players like Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stepped up to fill the void. Depth has been a problem with the Oilers in previous seasons, but they’ve used it to get this far.
Stuart Skinner should get the call in this one, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Journeyman Calvin Pickard got some time in the second round against Vancouver, but Skinner should shoulder the bulk of the load in the crease.
The Stars Story
Dallas has gotten steady goaltending all post-season long from Jake Oettinger. The former Boston University product shook off a shaky regular season troubled by injuries to be a rock in the crease for the Stars. Defence is the name of the game for the Stars with talented blueliners like Miro Heiskanen, Chris Tanev and others. Dallas did a great job limiting Cale Makar and the other Colorado weapons in the series.
The Stars youth movement also played a hand in them reaching the last four. Jason Robertson is second on the team in points with 12 while Wyatt Johnston is next in line with 11. Heiskanen leads the team in points, but he’s getting plenty of help from the youngsters on the roster. Dallas hasn’t put up lots of points in games, but it has slowed down the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado in the first two rounds.
Prediction
This is a clash of styles with the Oilers wanting to get out and skate while the Stars want a defensive struggle. Getting the first goal is a critical thing for each team, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Both clubs have been coached very well this post-season and can make adjustments from game-to-game. However, we’ll go with the old adage about defence winning titles until proven otherwise.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We’ve got some prop bets for tonight’s action. The over/under at some places is six, so go push or under considering the Stars’ style of play. As for the teams themselves, go with Draisaitl getting the over on +o.5 assists and take Robertson with the same number.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports
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