Oilers vs. Stars Prediction: Can Edmonton Pull Off Game 1 Upset Tonight in Dallas?

After a week off, the Edmonton Oilers finally get back to work as we break down Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.

Gary Pearson

Last updated: May 21, 2025 5:18 PM EDT • 3 min read

Oilers vs. Stars Prediction Tonight: Game 1 Odds & Expert Picks for WCF — Pictured: Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) and defenseman Cody Ceci (44) and center Mikael Granlund (64) and center Roope Hintz (24) celebrate a goal. Photo by Jerome Miron / Imagn Images.

The Western Conference Final begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) with the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center, as we offer our Oilers vs. Stars prediction and NHL picks for Game 1.

The Stars are outright favorites at our best sports betting sites to win Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, but the underdog Oilers have the shorter Stanley Cup odds - and they're our pick tonight to cover in what should be a thrilling affair.

💰 Oilers vs. Stars expert picks for Game 1

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✅ Against the spread pick: Oilers +1.5 (-235 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Stars (-125 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 6 goals (-115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

🏒 Game 1 prediction & best bet

🎯 Score prediction: Stars 4, Oilers 3

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.

Stars Game 1 history & sizzling home form

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.

✅ Best bet: Stars ML (-125 via bet365)

📈 Oilers vs. Stars odds

Live updated odds from our best sports betting apps.

🔢 Oilers vs. Stars updated betting insights

Updated betting info via BetMGM

The Stars opened as -125 favorites and have moved to -130 in the hours before Game 1 behind 61% of the moneyline handle
The total opened at 6 and has remained there, though the Over is now priced as short as -120 with 57% of bettors expecting a high-scoring affair

🏒 Stanley Cup playoffs expert picks

Western Conference Final prediction
Eastern Conference Final prediction
Oilers vs. Stars Game 1 prediction
Oilers vs. Stars Game 1 same-game parlay
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Game 2 prediction

💵 Best hockey betting sites

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Written By:
Gary Pearson

Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.