Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Game 1 NHL Betting Picks and Prediction for Thursday, May 23, 2024

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Game 1 – The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the NHL West Final as the Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6) clash with the Dallas Stars (52-21-9) in Game 1. This matchup promises excitement, with both teams boasting impressive records from the regular season. The game is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 8:30 PM ET at the American Airlines Center and will be broadcast on TNT. As fans gear up for this pivotal contest, those betting through Canadian online sportsbooks are keenly analyzing the odds and team performances to place their wagers.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars

Date & Time: Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET

Location: American Airlines Center

TV: TNT

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Game 1 Betting Odds

TeamMoneylinePucklineTotal
OilersTBDTBDTBD
StarsTBDTBDTBD

Edmonton Oilers Analysis

Edmonton Oilers have shown a very killer offensive roster this season and most of it is largely thanks to McDavid and Draisaitl. McDavid also accumulated 132 points from 76 games while Draisaitl managed 106 points from 81 games and together they have formed the tablet in the Oilers’ attacking plans. Their speed and accuracy in forming and implementing the plays will be essential in responding to the Stars’ defense. It is a key that the Edmonton Oilers’ power play unit, which performs exceptionally well with 21 power play goals from Draisaitl himself, convert their chances, especially amid Dallas Stars’ defensive attitude at home. The Oilers’ offense will have to cause the Stars’ system to become unstructured and attack the defense space to open up more channels for scoring.

The key aspect that has been sought from Stuart Skinner is his work as a goaltender where he recorded a .905 save percentage in 59 games. Nevertheless, his commendable efforts cannot hide the fact that the Oilers’ defensive line has weaknesses, especially in away games in which they demonstrate poor performance against the spread. Finally Edmonton has got to get better as a defensive team to contain the Stars’ potent offense especially in the area of getting turnovers and controlling the neutral zone.

Dallas Stars Analysis

The Dallas Stars are predominantly an effective offense having Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski who have led the team through many close games. Robertson has 80 points to his name while Pavelski has scored 67 points; a combination of youth and experience that can be quite troubling for other teams’ defensive units. Pavelski is a powerplay specialist as he has 11 powerplay goals which ensures that what the stars have is a strategic element in their offense. On the Stars’ side, they will have to rely on their superior special teams, especially power plays and penalty kills since the Oilers have defensive issues. The combination of both Robertson’s hot-shooting and Pavelski’s positioning selection could disorganize the defense of the Oilers and create scoring chances.

Position-wise, Jake Oettinger is a certain pillar for the Dallas Stars with a save percentage of .905 as compared to the counterpart of the Edmonton Oilers team, Koskinen, Mike. Hence, he is a better shot stopper in shootouts with a save percentage of .750; this means that he thrives in pressure situations like the playoffs. The marking done by the Stars’ defense should be tight and on the balls of their feet to neutralize the attack coming from the attacking prowess of MC DAVID and DRAISAITL. The Stars can orchestrate the opponent’s tempo and the configuration of the game by playing cautiously and protecting the defensive zone – exposing Oettinger to the maximum of his strengths.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Against the Spread

The Oilers have been on a good run winning 4 out of 5 games but they have been struggling on the road games if considering ATS. On the flip side, the Stars have 3-2 cover in their last 5 matches and 4-2 ATS on the road and this shows that they are a bit dependable.

The Stars have been an excellent bet recently and especially at home where the totals have gone over in 4 of their last 7 games. This trend could change the strategies bets choose, especially when they are more balanced in offenses and defense.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Free Pick

Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:

Moneyline: Dallas Stars. The Stars’ consistent performance, especially at home, gives them the edge.

Spread: Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers might cover the spread if they leverage their top players’ offensive skills effectively.

Total: Over. Both teams have shown a tendency to exceed total points expectations in recent games.

Predicted Score: Dallas Stars 4, Edmonton Oilers 3

Given the stats and recent performances, betting on the Stars for the Moneyline seems a solid choice, while expecting a high-scoring game suggests betting the Over on total points. As we delve into the expert NHL West Finals picks, these insights align with the trends, making them reliable for those looking to place informed bets.