The Western Conference Finals feature a rematch from 2024 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars, a series full of intrigue for bettors.
Key questions arise: Can Mikko Rantanen help the Stars overcome last season`s loss to the Oilers? Has Stuart Skinner moved past his early playoff struggles? Will Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard replicate their high-scoring performance against Dallas from last year? Can the Dallas power play find success after being shut down in the previous series?
Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars
Game 1: American Airlines Center, Dallas; Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET
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Moneyline: Oilers (+105); Stars (-125)
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Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 (-250); Stars -1.5 (+185)
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Over/Under: 6.5 (+110/-130)
Before Game 1, bettors can consider these overarching series-long propositions:
Zach Hyman series total goals; Over 1.5 (-150): Zach Hyman scored three goals against the Stars in two regular-season games in March and added three more in last year`s Conference Finals.
Mikko Rantanen; Player most points in series (+500): This bet offers good value based on the odds. While McDavid`s points per game (1.55) are slightly higher than Rantanen`s (1.46) this postseason, McDavid`s odds for most points are much lower (-105). This is a strong bet if you favor the Stars.
Stars to win Game 1 and lose the series (+375): This prop bet is interesting for Oilers backers. It leverages the Stars` home-ice advantage in Game 1 while predicting an Oilers series win. The series odds are tight, with the Oilers (-120) slightly favored over the Stars (Even) before Game 1.
Regarding Game 1 itself, the Stars have been dominant at home this postseason, holding a 6-1 record in Dallas.
The line of Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Mikael Granlund has been highly effective at 5-on-5, scoring seven goals for and allowing only two against in the early rounds. This home dominance is reflected in their stats at home: four goals for and one against across seven games. A potential parlay combining Rantanen over 0.5 goals, Granlund over 0.5 points, and Hintz over 0.5 assists offers a payout of +565.
Despite the over/under being set at 6.5, the over (+110) is a strong possibility. Their two matchups in March saw combined scores of seven and nine goals.
