The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet in the Western Conference final for the second time in as many years.
The pregame narrative: Edmonton bested Dallas in six games last season and is a slight favourite to win this matchup again. But the Stars have been playing some inspired hockey behind the superb play of Mikko Rantanen, who was acquired at the trade deadline.
Check out my Oilers vs. Stars prop picks on Connor McDavid and Rantanen.
Oilers vs. Stars picks
Best Bet: Rantanen to score (+137)
Rantanen has cooled off slightly after a torrid six-game stretch where he potted nine goals and logged 17 points.
The forward hasn’t scored a goal in three straight, logging just one assist in that span. But there’s every reason to believe he’ll get back to it against an Oilers team with questionable goaltending.
Stuart Skinner reclaimed the starting role after an undisclosed injury to Calvin Pickard, and I’m not quite sold on his play.
He has pitched back-to-back shutouts but was horrible against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1 and had underwhelming regular season numbers (NHL ranks in parentheses):
- 2.81 GAA (31st)
- .896 SV% (35th)
- -0.031 goals saved above expected per 60 (52nd)
I love Rantanen’s chances of getting on the board to start this series.
Key stat: Rantanen ranks fifth this postseason in xG (5.98) and is fourth in high-danger chances (25).
Game 1 prop prediction
McDavis under 1.5 points (-130): Fading the best player in the world is a dangerous game, but it’s one I’m willing to play.
McDavid has 17 points in 11 playoff games, good for the second most among all skaters. Still, he has gone under 1.5 points six times, including four of six games on the road.
Dallas hasn’t given up much offensively at home. Last round, the team surrendered just four goals in three games to the Winnipeg Jets at American Airlines Center.
Jake Oettinger has been standing on his head and, to me, is a nice dark horse Conn Smythe candidate (currently priced at +1,400).
The netminder has a 2.47 GAA and .919 SV% this postseason.
McDavid has been held under 1.5 points in four of his last five games against Dallas.
Oilers vs. Stars prop picks made at 1:37 p.m. ET 05/19/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.