The Edmonton Oilers (6-4-3) and Dallas Stars (6-3-3) meet in an NHL Western Conference duel tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EST at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Stars are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-142 / +116). The Stars are a -130 favorite to win outright, while the Oilers are +108 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Oilers vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks.
Oilers vs. Stars Odds, Pick
| Oilers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -220 | 6.5 110o / -130u | +115 |
| Stars Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +180 | 6.5 110o / -130u | -135 |
- Oilers vs. Stars Spread: Oilers +1.5 (-240), Stars -1.5 (+190)
- Oilers vs. Stars Over/Under: 5.5 (-142 / +116)
- Oilers vs. Stars Moneyline: Oilers +108, Stars -130
Oilers vs. Stars Preview
Edmonton Oilers
Since the Edmonton Oilers enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back, and Calvin Pickard got the nod Monday night against the St. Louis Blues, goaltender Stuart Skinner is slated to guard the cage. Skinner hasn't brought his best stuff this year, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Edmonton looks to trade for a better netminder at the deadline.
Skinner has surrendered three or more goals in five of his past seven starts, posting a fade-worthy .888 save percentage over that stretch. Unsurprisingly, six or more total goals have been scored in four of those seven outings.
Those struggles are likely to continue against the Dallas Stars, a team he has a .896 save percentage against over the past eight meetings. The good news for him is that he should get plenty of offensive help against a Dallas defense that has been inconsistent.
Dallas Stars
Entering this matchup, the Stars rank 23rd in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and sit 25th on the penalty kill — a rough combination against the best power-play unit of the modern era. Once again, the Oilers top the league in power-play percentage.
Confirmed to start behind this shaky blue line is goaltender Casey DeSmith, who’s been even less reliable than Skinner. Through three starts, DeSmith is 1-1-1 with a .873 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average.
Like Skinner, though, DeSmith should benefit from strong goal support. The Stars generate high-danger scoring chances at a strong rate and rank 10th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60). They’re also dangerous on the man advantage, sitting just behind Edmonton in power-play efficiency.
Oilers vs. Stars Prediction
These two teams profile similarly in that they’re both stronger offensively than defensively. As a result, seven or more total goals have been scored in five of the past seven meetings between them.
Normally, the biggest hurdle in this matchup would be goaltender Jake Oettinger, who usually starts for Dallas. However, he's back home for the birth of his child and will miss Tuesday’s game, leaving a struggling Casey DeSmith with a tough task against a potent Oilers offense.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-142 | Play to -150)
