Edmonton (0-0) at Dallas (0-0)
- When: May 21 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- TV: ESPN
Western Conference Finals Game 1 Preview: Oilers vs. Stars
Moneyline: Dallas -130 | Total: 6.0
Dallas Stars Outlook: Revenge Tour Begins
The Stars are back in the Western Conference Finals for the third straight year, and you can bet this one’s personal. After getting bounced by the Oilers last season, Dallas has circled this series since October. With playoff experience and a bolstered roster including key trade acquisition Mikko Rantanen the Stars are deeper and more balanced than ever.
They’ve already knocked out the Jets and Avalanche by combining defensive grit with timely scoring, and they enter Game 1 fresh and focused. Expect Miro Heiskanen to anchor the blue line while Jamie Benn and Jason Robertson provide offensive firepower.
Dallas also has home-ice advantage and won two of three regular-season meetings vs. Edmonton. In a series this tight, that edge matters especially early.
Edmonton Oilers Outlook: Quietly Dangerous
Edmonton isn’t just Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl anymore. Sure, they’ve still got the flash, but this year’s Oilers are bringing a newfound defensive swagger. After stumbling out of the gate, Edmonton has won eight of its last nine playoff games and closed out Vegas with back-to-back shutouts. Goaltender Stuart Skinner benched earlier in the postseason is suddenly looking like a hero.
That said, the Oilers still haven’t scored a power-play goal on the road this postseason, and that could haunt them in a hostile building like American Airlines Center.
The expected return of defenseman Mattias Ekholm later in the series is a big boost, but without him for Game 1, Dallas’ depth may be too much to handle out of the gate.
Betting Angle & Game 1 Prediction
Dallas has motivation, matchups, and home ice all working in their favor. The Stars are built for deep runs, and they’re hungry to avenge last year’s collapse.
Final Score Prediction: Dallas 4, Edmonton 3
Best Bet: Dallas ML (-130)
Total: Over 6.0 (-120)
Expect a tight first period, but Dallas pulls away late to cover the moneyline and push the total just over.
- NHL Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
