SUBSCRIBE FOR PREMIUM PICKS, PARLAYS & EXCLUSIVE PROMO CODES
*These NHL Playoff picks are done the morning of game day, adjust picks should spreads and lineups change.
EDMONTON OILERS @ DALLAS STARS
SEMI FINALS – GAME 1
MATCHUP STATS
- The Stars’ last 11 home games after overtime have gone Overs.
- The Stars have lost their last 6 Game 1s in playoff series.
- The Stars have failed to cover 7 of their last 8 home games.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| COL | 50 | 25 | 31-9-1 | 19-16-6 |
| DAL | 52 | 21 | 26-11-4 | 26-10-5 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | GF | GA | DIFF | GLS AV |
| COL | 3.7 | 3.1 | +0.6 | 6.8 |
| DAL | 3.6 | 2.9 | +0.8 | 6.5 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
COLORADO 3-1
| 04.04.24 | DAL | EDM | 5:0 |
| 18.02.24 | DAL | EDM | 3:4 (3:3) |
| 03.11.23 | EDM | DAL | 3:4 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | TOTAL | RESULT |
| DAL | UNDER | EDM |
| -1.5 | 6.0 | 3:2 (2:2) |
THE RUB
After the calendar flipped to 2024, the Dallas Stars collected 65 regular-season points, just two shy of the Western Conference-leading Edmonton Oilers, who played one more game. It’s fitting these two teams meet as the Western Conference finals kick off on Thursday in Dallas.
Dallas, the conference’s regular-season champions, won two of three meetings against Edmonton in 2023-24. Known for their offensive prowess, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have also tightened their defense, showcased by their Game 7 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the semifinals.
The Oilers boast the best power-play and penalty-kill stats in this year’s playoffs. They are expected to get a boost from veteran forward Adam Henrique, who is likely to return after being injured in the first round.
Dallas, after overcoming early struggles, defeated the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche in the first two rounds. Forward Mason Marchment emphasized the team’s resilience, while Joe Pavelski noted their preparedness after facing high-scoring opponents like Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel.
Dallas forward Roope Hintz, day-to-day with an upper-body injury, missed the last two games of the Colorado series but skated before practice on Wednesday. The Stars have dropped Game 1 in both previous rounds but have reached the conference finals three times in five years.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Leon Draisaitl has 1+ assists in each of the Oilers’ last 7 games.
- Miro Heiskanen has 1+ assists in each of the Stars’ last 4 vs. Oilers.
- Jamie Benn has scored in each of the Stars’ last 3 Game 1s of playoff series.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has scored in 3 of the Oilers’ last 4 games.
- Tyler Seguin has scored in 3 of the Stars’ last 4 home games vs. Oilers.
- Evan Bouchard has scored in 4 of the Oilers’ last 6 games.
PICK – DALLAS -1.5
