NHL WCF: Oilers vs Stars Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 05-20-25, 10:23 AM

NHL Western Conference Finals predictions from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Oilers to Win Series (-110 DraftKings)

"There's not much to choose between these teams, which should make for an instant classic. If you've followed our picks and predictions throughout the season, I've been bullish about the Oilers. And I'm not stopping now, as they can beat you in any number of ways.

Concede the first goal, no worries. Go into the third period at a deficit; all good. Win in enemy environments. Their 4-2 road record in the playoffs, which includes four straight wins, speaks volumes. Excluding the opening two games of the postseason, it hasn't mattered who's between the pipes.

Want to go toe-to-toe with the Oilers in a run-in-gun, high-scoring affair? I dare you.

How about a low-scoring, defensive slugfest? Refer back to Games 4 and 5 against Vegas. Is dragging the game into overtime the way to go? Their 3-0 sudden death record says otherwise.

The Oilers are among the most balanced offenses in these playoffs. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were in on just 20% of the goals in the second round against the Golden Knights and 18.5% in the opening round against the Los Angeles Kings. Those percentages are way down from 30.1% in the regular season.

Unless Oettinger stands on his head throughout, the Oilers should get back to the dance."

Oilers vs Stars Series Best Bets:

Oilers to win series 4-3 (+430 FanDuel)
Top goal scorer: Leon Draisaitl (+289 FanDuel)
Correct score after 3 games: Oilers 2-1 (+130 FanDuel)

**Headsterx** · 05-20-25, 01:48 PM

Taking Oilers to win series and then the Cup!

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 05-20-25, 03:12 PM

I like the Oilers. Really just one angle:
*Guy like McDavid normally wins a Cup. Sooner or later.
*Athletic peak is cruel and comes quicker than people think. His numbers are down slightly.
*Might be now or never. Been forever since a Canadian team won the Cup. This might be the year.

**SBR Andy** · 2025-05-21T12:33:12+00:00

Oilers vs Stars Game 1 prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Stars ML (-125 BetMGM)

"While I expect the Oilers to prevail in a long, low-scoring series, the opener could differ altogether. The Oilers are 8-1 in the last nine games and were motoring when Kasperi Kapanen jammed home the Game 5 overtime winner against Vegas like he was stoking a fire resistant to relighting.

Since then, the Oilers have been kicking up their feet. When the opening puck drops on Game 1, Kris Knoblauch's team will have enjoyed almost a week of rest. While that should benefit them in the long run, it could throw off their momentum and rhythm in the opener.

The Stars have been idle since Saturday, but three days' rest is much different than seven. Dallas has been rolling at American Airlines Center, winning six straight since losing the opening game of the playoffs to the Colorado Avalanche. That loss was their eighth straight to open a series.

The Stars have since exorcised those demons, winning Game 1 in Winnipeg.

The combination of getting the Game 1 gorilla off their back, playing near flawless hockey since losing to Colorado and Edmonton's extended hiatus has me backing Pete DeBoer's team."

**Optional** · 2025-05-21T17:50:56+00:00

Oilers vs. Stars updated betting insights

Updated betting info via BetMGM

The Stars have remained as -125 moneyline favorites for Game 1
The total is set at 6. The Over shortened marginally from -115 to -118

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 2025-05-21T17:56:26+00:00

Originally posted by Optional

Oilers vs. Stars updated betting insights

Updated betting info via BetMGM

The Stars have remained as -125 moneyline favorites for Game 1
The total is set at 6. The Over shortened marginally from -115 to -118

Opti, I wonder who the most respected NHL modern capper is in the industry.

Dave Cokin and Alan Dinkenson used to be regarded. I believe that each was a +EV NHL capper.

**Optional** · 2025-05-21T18:01:13+00:00

Originally posted by ChuckyTheGoat

Opti, I wonder who the most respected NHL modern capper is in the industry.

Dave Cokin and Alan Dinkenson used to be regarded. I believe that each was a +EV NHL capper.

You must be forgetting https://www.sportsbookreview.com/writers/garypearson/

**Headsterx** · 2025-05-22T00:03:23+00:00

Strike it rich with the Oilers tonight!

**SBR Andy** · 2025-05-22T12:22:04+00:00

The Stars score 5 goals in the 3rd period to take Game 1 by a score of 6-3.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Stars -190 / Oilers +160

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 2025-05-22T12:28:09+00:00

Originally posted by Optional

You must be forgetting https://www.sportsbookreview.com/writers/garypearson/

Didn't know of him. Opti, at one time I handicapped AFL (Aussie Rules FB) pretty hard. I listened to the games on radio, would like to attend an AFL game someday.

**SBR Andy** · 2025-05-22T13:24:56+00:00

Similar meltdown to the Knicks in the 4th quarter:

https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1925392047378506198

**Optional** · 2025-05-22T18:51:30+00:00

Originally posted by ChuckyTheGoat

Didn't know of him. Opti, at one time I handicapped AFL (Aussie Rules FB) pretty hard. I listened to the games on radio, would like to attend an AFL game someday.

We will do that hopefully. Just a shame AFL does not line up with Aussie Open or F1 or Aussie Millions.