Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars, Game 1 Best Bets: Expect a Slow Game

The NHL Western Conference Finals are set and begin tonight, as the Edmonton Oilers travel down to Texas to take on the Dallas Stars in Game 1 on TNT. The Stars are coming off series wins against the Knights and Avalanche, playing 13 total games this playoffs, while the Oilers have victories over the Kings and Canucks, totaling 12 games played this postseason.

Oilers vs Stars Season History

These teams played each other three times during the regular season, with the Star emerging victorious in two out of those three contests. In early November, the Oilers hosted the Stars and put up 49 total shots against them. Yet it still wasn't enough, as Scott Wedgewodd saved 46 of those shots, and Dallas won 4-3. After the turn of the calendar, the two teams met again, this time in Dallas in the middle of February.

The Stars did a much better job of limiting the Oilers attack, as Dallas actually outshot Edmonton 27-24, but the visiting team still got the last laugh. After a scoreless first period, we saw 6 come in the 2nd period, followed by another scoreless 3rd, as we headed to overtime tied up at 3 goals a piece. Just 30 seconds into overtime, Evan Bouchard ended it, and the Oilers won on the road.

Finally, in early April as the regular season was coming to a close, they squared off back in Dallas like they do tonight. The Stars completely dominated from start to finish, Jake Oettinger saved all 35 shots he faced as he shutout the Oilers, and Dallas won 5-0 at home. The Stars has 5 different scorers in that game, and it was a huge confidence builder going into the Western Conference Finals.

Will the Stars take Game 1 at home? Or can the Oilers pull off the road win again?

Western Conference Finals Begins in Dallas

Matchup Information – Oilers vs Stars

• Venue & Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
• Date: Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
• Puck Drop: 8:30pm Eastern
• Where to Watch: TNT

Betting Odds, courtesy of BetOnline

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Puck Line

• Oilers +1.5 (-240)
• Stars -1.5 (+200)

Money Line

• Oilers +114
• Stars -128

Total

• Over 6 (-107)
• Under 6 (-109)

Will Stars Finally Win a Game 1 at Home?

Dallas has hosted both of their opponents for Game 1, yet despite their 26-11-4 record at home, they have dropped both opening games to their opponent. Surely, the focus will be there tonight. It took Scott Wedgewood saving 46/49 shots for the Stars to win the very first game against Edmonton, but we know Oettinger is more than capable of having a game like so.

For starters, he stopped all 35 shots last time he saw Edmonton, and has saved 55 of 59 shots seen from the Oilers this season, and he's coming off some great game as well. Oettinger is posting a .918 save percentage, allowing barely over 2 goals per game. Even being at home, and wanting to get off on the right foot, I do see the Stars playing a little conservative the first period or so.

Anyone should be aware of what the Oilers offense is capable of. They are putting up just under 30 shots on goal per game this playoffs, and are scoring nearly 4 goals per contest. Yes, the Stars are shooting the puck plenty of their own, but they can rely on Oettinger more than I believe the Oilers can with Skinner or Pickard.

Ultimately, I like the Stars to control the puck in this game at home, slowing things down, and meticulously picking out their opportunities to attack. I think tonight's game could be very low scoring and I will be betting it as such.

Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars Best Bets

Best Bet: EDM/DAL Under 6 (-108) Bovada

Despite the Oilers absolutly peppering the net in every game they play, the Stars seemed to have that figured out. They allowed less than 30 shots to the Avalanche in 4 of 6 games, and VGK put up 30 SOGs in just 3 of their 7 contests. Plus, we've got to remember who is between the posts.

Oettinger has proven he can handle 30+ shots from his opponent and not give up very many. As far as the Stars attack, even the Canucks were able to sneak some shots by the Oilers without generating much offense. Ultimately, I think in Game 1, these two unfamiliar teams feel each other out for the first 20 minutes, using that time to plan their attack for later in the series.

Tonight, give me boring hockey, great goaltending, and the Under 6.

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