Oilers vs Stars Picks and Prediction – 5/24/2024

Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars Prediction

The Edmonton Oilers visit American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Thursday to play the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals best of seven series. The opening faceoff will be at 8:30 PM ET and TNT will televise the game. Edmonton defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games of their semifinals series with the deciding game a 3-2 win on the road versus the Canucks. Dallas defeated the Colorado Avalanche in six games of their semifinals series, clinching the series with a 2-1 victory in Game 6 on Colorado's home ice. Make sure you stay up to date with all the NHL action, with our expert NHL picks.

Edmonton Oilers Preview

Edmonton will look to take home ice advantage away from Dallas with a victory on the road in Game 1 Thursday. Edmonton lost two out of three during the regular season to Dallas, but was 1-1 on the road against the Stars, winning 4-3 in overtime and losing 5-0. 

During the regular season, Edmonton was 49-27-6, finishing with 104 points, which was second in the Pacific Division. Edmonton is second in the NHL during the playoffs in goals for with an average of 3.83 per game and has taken an average of 29.8 shots per game. Edmonton is scoring 37.5% of the time on the power play. Zach Hyman has scored 11 goals during the playoffs to lead Edmonton, while Conor McDavid is the leader in assists with 19 and is second in points with 21. Leon Draisaitl is the second leading goal scorer with eight, second in assists with 16 and the points leader with 24. 

Edmonton is eighth in goals against at 2.75 per game during the playoffs. Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner was 36-16-5 with a goals against average of 2.62 and save percentage of .905, during the regular season. In 10 playoff games, Skinner is 7-3 with a respectable goals against average of 2.87 and save percentage of .881.

Dallas Stars Preview

Dallas will look to take a 1-0 in this series on its home ice with a victory on Thursday, after winning two out of three versus Edmonton during the regular season including its most recent 5-0 rout of the Oilers in early April. Dallas has used a combination of timely scoring and excellent defense from its blue line and goalie to reach the Conference Finals

Dallas won the Central division during the regular season with a record of 52-21-9 and 113 points. Dallas is seventh in goals for in the playoffs at 2.92 per game, through 13 games. The Stars are taking an average of 28.8 shots per game and the power play is scoring 29.0% of the time. Wyatt Johnston is the leader in goals scored with seven and Miro Heiskanen is second with five. Jason Robertson is the leader in assists with nine. Heiskanen is second in assists with eight and is the points leader with 13, while Robertson is second in points with 12. 

Dallas is fourth in goals against average at 2.39 per game, during the playoffs. In the regular season, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger was 35-14-4 with a goals against average of 2.72 and save percentage of .905. In 12 playoff games, Oettinger is 8-5 with a goals against average of 2.09 and save percentage of .918.